THE absence of the blockbuster lots which had lit up this sale in recent years left the first day of the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale with an impossible task of coming close to last year’s figures as evidenced by the returns when day one concluded this evening.

Twelve months ago the top five lots on this day accounted for almost €5 million in turnover and yielded a top price of €1.9 million, but trade at the top of the market was of a more steady variety this time which meant that the turnover of almost €6.1 million was 54 points down on 2017.