THE week began with a session given over to yearlings and trade in this category fell some way behind last year. The clearance rate dropped from 70% to 60% and turnover fell to just under €1.8m.

The top lot was a €60,000 son of Soldier Of Fortune whose dam is a daughter of the French Guineas winner Zainta. The latter has already bred the Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar and Willie Mullins’ multiple Grade 1 scorer Zaidpour. Trickledown Stud’s Paul Thorman signed for the Kilmoney Cottage Stud-consigned gelding who will be reoffered as a three-year-old.