A more sobering day of trade brought the curtain down on the four-day foal section of the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale. A 47% clearance rate for Wednesday’s session had a knock-on effect on the overall sale and, taking the four days into account, €10,171,600 worth of foals changed hands at a clip of 66%. The average and median settled at €17,908 and €12,000 respectively.

Despite there being a slow-down in business those with more desirable pedigrees still commanded a premium and one that got a nice update recently was a colt by Old Persian from Ballincurrig House Stud who sold to Kevin and Anna Ross for €60,000.

Out of the dual-winning Dr Fong mare Mariet, the colt is a half-brother to Slade Steel who made a winning debut over hurdles at Naas last weekend for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner Brian Acheson.

“We really wanted one by the sire,” said Kevin Ross. “We love the line, Old Persian is by Dubawi which we are keen on, and he was a tough campaigner who won nine races in three different continents. This is a lovely model, a good-walking type and his half-brother looked promising when he won his maiden hurdle at Naas the other day. We had to push the boat out, but he is a lovely type. He stays in Ireland and will be for resale,” he added.

Blue Bresil colt

While the session topper came late in the sale, the second highest priced foal was the first to enter the ring. Of course it helped that he was a son of Blue Bresil but it still took a bid of €55,000 from Tattersalls rep Luke Coen acting on behalf of Peter Vaughan’s Moanmore Stables to secure the colt.

Offered by Cloney Stud out of the Oscar mare Oi Oi, the colt is out of a half-sister to Alfie Sherrin, Kimberlite Candy, Hawkes Point and Glenloe. Peter Vaughan has sold the likes of Energumene in the Derby Sale and, of his latest purchase, he said, “He will be for resale, he has a very good pedigree and is a very good mover.”

Lot 821 had plenty going for him, being a son of Vadamos out of the very smart racemare Well Set Up, whose five victories included two at Grade 3 level. In addition the mare is a half-sister to the talented Nicky Henderson trained On The Blind Side so it was no surprise to see Emily Kilcoyne’s colt prove popular, selling to Paul Cashman of Rathbarry Stud for €28,000.

Kilcoyne’s late mother Jean Corrigan was instrumental in developing the family and the vendor said: “I am delighted. Mum bred the dam Well Set Up out of Such A Set Up. She passed away three years ago and we’ve kept the line going, so it means a lot. The Cashmans bought On The Blind Side from Mum so it has gone full circle. I have just the one mare and a filly in training from a different family.”

Paul Cashman got a good turn out of On The Blindside, selling him for £205,000 after he won his point to point and will be hoping lightning strikes twice with the family. “He is a lovely horse. I had a big association with On The Blind Side as we had him when he was pointing back in the day. This colt comes from a good home, he had a great prep and I’m delighted to buy a nice horse from the farm. We'll be looking to come back here with him,” he said.

On the brilliant results this week for foals by Rathbarry’s Blue Bresil, Cashman added, “It’s been unbelievable, the stuff of dreams. He is a super sire to have and everyone who has one by him they say how well-natured the horses are. He throws a lovely physical and they have great minds. We are lucky to have him.”

Santiago filly

Santiago’s good start in the sales ring with his first crop of foals continued when a filly by the Coolmore sire sold to Eimear Fallon for €28,000. The Ballyconnor House consigned filly is a half-sister to point to point winner Money Spinner from the family of Grade 1 winner Sam Spinner and Troytown Chase winner Balbriggan.

Local consignor Brian O’Neill of Rockton Stud offered a Poet’s Word colt and he was rewarded with a €26,000 sale to noted judge Richard Rohan. The colt’s dam La Scala Diva has two winners from two runners, courtesy of the stakes-placed Pats Choice and Getaway Tom. The pedigree traces back to Egypt Mill Prince and Toofarback.

“He has great movement and a fresh up-to-date pedigree,” Rohan said. “The mare is two from two and he is by an improving stallion. I just thought that he is a very nice horse, I loved him when he came up to the ring and loved him when he went through the ring. It was a bit more than I thought I'd have to give for him.”

Asked for his take on the week so far, Rohan added: “It has been a good trade, a bit patchy but I think, on the whole, horses have made what they should. When you take what is going on in the world we are lucky to all be doing this."

The sale concludes on Thursday with a day of yearlings and broodmares from 10.30am.