SIMON Kerins is optimistic that trade at next week’s Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale will exceed last year’s business.

Starting on Wednesday, the store sale runs over three days, with Friday’s Part 2 making a reappearance following a sales calendar reshuffle.

“We introduced Part 2 in the early noughties but dropped it when the global economy took a downturn,” Kerins explained. “There was also a body of opinion that we should have a May store sale to suit point-to-point handlers but we have replaced that now with a horses-in-training sale and we have reintroduced Part 2. We still have a July Sale for stores who have missed their slot earlier in the year.”

There were 406 horses in the Derby Sale last year and that has grown to 450 in Part 1 this year, though comparisons are not like-for-like. “We have 31 two-year-olds in Part 1,” Kerins said. “This is part of the industry-wide initiative to encourage people to put National Hunt horses in training at an earlier stage, to mirror the French system.

“It’s something I welcome, including the new academy hurdle series planned for the autumn. I think the only difference between the Irish and French horses is the way they are brought on in France. The Coolmore team have shown this year that it can be done with Irish-bred horses. I think the direction we’re travelling in is positive.”

Kerins says that British buyers and point-to-point handlers are giving the sales company positive vibes ahead of next week. “Our marketing and bloodstock teams have been on the road since early January.

“Niamh Spiller, Jamie Codd, Robbie Power, Barry O’Neill, Mary Lanigan and John McDonnell have been doing great work in the UK and in Ireland. We’re in touch with trainers and handlers throughout the year. ITM, as well, have helped us a lot.”

Results on the track have also helped. “Kopek Des Bordes and Final Demand were stars for the Derby Sale last season,” Kerins said. “The point-to-point handlers have also had a good year selling form horses, so that helps.”

Asked if he was confident that the sale would see increases from last year in the key metrics, he said: “Results from recent sales have been tremendous and you would hope that will transfer to our sale as well.

“We’ve a lot of people coming in and they won’t be disappointed with the horses on offer. So I’d be hopeful or even quietly confident rather than being bullish. You never quite know but the vibes are really, really good.”