FOLLOWING a very positive store sale season to this point, anticipation was high in advance of the two-day Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale this week. While trade on Wednesday and Thursday was perfectly adequate, the buzz that normally emanates from a sale with such history and prestige was somewhat lacking.

There was no shortage of buyers in attendance, however, both from Ireland, Britain and France, and all the big names seemed to get involved but that did not stop the clearance rate slipping from 93% in 2022 to 80% this year.