EDMOND Mahony acted as auctioneer for the final time at Tattersalls Ireland on Tuesday.

He will continue as company chairman but from next month Matt Prior will take on the managing director role in Ireland while Simon Kerins will continue to head the Irish operation.

Tuesday’s Sapphire Sale at Fairyhouse saw 60% of the 104 lots sell at an average price of €9,826, a record for this sale. The median price of €6,250 was also a record, while the turnover of €609,200 is the highest produced at the sale since 2017.

The day’s top lot, a Make Believe colt foal who sold for a sale record-equalling €60,000, was consigned by the Irish National Stud, and bought by Apollo Bloodstock/Ben Hensey.

"I saw him when the videos came up on the website a few weeks ago," said Fearghal Hogan of Apollo Bloodstock. "I like the sire and I just thought he was the best foal on the day. He’s out of a young blacktype Sea The Stars mare, who has bred two good horses. When you see a horse like him, you just want to buy him.”

Cathal Beale, Irish National Stud CEO commented: "He's always been a nice colt and he has improved as the year has gone on. He needed the extra few weeks, but his preparation has been faultless. There was strong competition for him in the ring, and I've been really impressed by the level of footfall here."

Sold all five foals

The day’s leading consignor Kildallan Farm offered five lots and sold all five. The quintet was headlined by a Mehmas colt out of She's Different (by Epaulette) and an own-brother to the Marble Hill Stakes-placed Mehmar. He was bought by Conor Walsh, who signed under Richdale Partnership, for €50,000.

"Mehmas is an unbelievable sire and this colt is a bit of a stand-out today, we will get him home and make a plan – this lad has the sire power anyway,” reported the buyer.

Dermot Kilmartin of Kildallan Farm delegated speaking duties to his 16-year-old son Rory.

"We have had a great day here,” said Kilmartin Jnr. “We like to target this sale, and we got on well here last year selling the top lot, and Dad was keen to come back. The extra few weeks have helped and worked out for us.”

This year’s leading first-season sire Starman has been making the headlines, and his daughter out of the Muhaarar mare Stellar Queen, from James Sheehan’s Clonmult Farm became the session’s top-priced filly when bought by Darren O’Dwyer Bloodstock for €38,000.

Sheehan said: "She is a great moving filly, she is by the right sire, and I think she stood out a little bit in this sale. That was the plan, and we like to support this sale, too. We are more than happy with that price and moving the sale back has definitely been helpful. The right people are here, which is important.”

The yearling section was topped by a Nando Parrado colt out of the Dawn Approach mare Divine Approach, bought by Noel Meade and Peter Nolan for €16,000 from Drumachon Stud.

Commenting on trade, Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said: “After consultation with breeders and vendors earlier this year, and taking into account their feedback, we moved the sale to a standalone and later date. The final results indicate that this sale has a place in the market, as shown by the strong demand for commercial foals.

“As always, we will digest the feedback from the sale and put into action any learnings that come from it. We are however confident that we can build on this sale with further support from breeders and vendors. “

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SALE RESULTS