PUBLIC auction results for foals and three-year-olds at Goresbridge (including Supreme Foal Sale Barnadown and the Go For Gold Sale), Cavan, Mullingar (Mayo Roscommon Horse Breeders), Tattersalls Select Event Sale and the Monart Sale were analysed and it must be acknowledged that the majority of trade remains in the private domain and public auction trade can only provide limited insight into the overall trends.

A key factor to bear in mind when reviewing sales returns is the cost of production as this is the benchmark for profitability, or otherwise. Costs of production are highly variable between enterprises, animals, breeding seasons and breeding methods used. Variant stud fees; the need to acquire professional assistance in sales preparation or not; perhaps even land, building or machinery rental fees or loans on same may impact some enterprises and not others but should be factored into the cost of production.