PATRICK Connolly’s smart filly foal by Zirocco Blue was the standout lot at Cavan last Thursday where, selling at €8,000, she was one of five individuals to realise €5,000 or above. Demand for the quintet was lively, but these few aside, Thursday was otherwise a tough day for breeders, where following the familiar country-wide pattern, buyers were slow to commit.

Looking at the returns, just 42% of the 98 lots forward changed hands - a figure which equalled that from 12 months ago. The average was less satisfactory, slipping disappointingly to €2,520 (€3,275 in 2024).