THE two-day Part 1 of the 2026 Tattersalls Ireland September Sale drew to a close after 9pm on Wednesday. Two marathon days of selling, some 11 hours each, ended with a flourish, with the second-best price ever for a yearling, and a new record established for a filly.

Last year’s sale was one of the standouts of the year, posting as it did increases in turnover, average and median of about 50% in each case. With the state of international relations, economic conditions and the various challenges affecting racing currently, there was a degree of nervousness as vendors faced into the week. A major push by the sales team at Tattersalls Ireland, and by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, ensured that there was no shortage on buyers on the ground.