The latest edition of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, which had its drama before a horse had even entered the ring, ended on a high on Thursdays evening with a €280,000 top lot and a set of final figures which represented a return to pre-Covid-19 levels.

A remarkably resilient two days, when one considers the backdrop against which they took place, yielded a turnover of in excess of €16 million, which was close to double last year’s figure.