THE store sale season drew to a close on Thursday evening at Fairyhouse when the last lot in the two-day Tattersalls Ireland July Sale sold. With two in every five lots returning to their home, many vendors were left disappointed.

A softening in the market did not deter bidders when it came to demand for the better quality lots on offer and, as the sale entered its final few hours, there even felt like there was a pent-up need to buy.