THE strength of the American bloodstock market can often seem unattainable to us Europeans, so it was encouraging to note that the buyer of the $5,200,000 top lot at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale has horses in training in Ireland, though at a much, much lower level.

Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds was the name that appeared alongside the twice Grade 1-placed Malibu Moon mare Quietside, but Irish readers are likely to be more familiar with Peter and Bonnie McCausland under the banner of Leamington Racing LLC - their blue silks finished fourth in this year’s Galway Plate, courtesy of the Gordon Elliott-trained Nowwhatdoyouthink.