ON Friday, June 25th, 1976 I had my first day officially at work, spotting on the rostrum at the Ballsbridge Sales Derby Sale in Ballsbridge. I had just completed my Leaving Certificate at school and started in the office the following Monday morning compiling pedigrees – by hand!

The business and bloodstock sales have come a long way since then. The Derby Sale then contained a handful of horses with form and the top price that day was 8,600gns. This was paid by George Wells to P.P. Hogan for the six-year-old My Friendly Cousin. Two store horses made over 8,000gns and both were purchased by Paddy Prendergast junior.