THE commencement of the Irish store sales season at Goffs in little over two weeks’ time will see the preparations for the spring 2018 campaign begin, as handlers and owners who have now perfected the art of adding significant value to their young unraced stock by running them in an Irish point-to-point, continue their cycle of reinvestment in readiness of the new season. Many will be looking to the performances of a stallion’s progeny between the flags ahead of the sales season.

Heading into the final two weekends of the point-to-point season, Beneficial leads the way in a bid to become the champion point-to-point sire for the seventh time. The former Knockhouse Stud stallion, who died at the age of 23 in 2013, has sired 27 winners this season including the impressive Heroesandvillains and Mr Whipped who subsequently realized £140,000 and £160,000 respectively at the Cheltenham sales.