A YEAR to remember for Tattersalls Ireland drew to a low-key conclusion last Saturday with the latest staging of the company’s one-day Sapphire Sale whose returns couldn’t quite match last year in several areas.

The sale contained a mix of foals, yearlings and breeding stock which resulted in a top price of €38,000 which was paid in the foal section. Generally this was a quiet day as evidenced by a clearance rate of 54% and a turnover of just short of €600,000 which was a six-point progression on last year. The average of €5,994 was down by 13% while the median dropped by 27% to €4,000.