A year that produced its share of records as well as witnessing vibrant trade at a number of the country’s flagship sales means that 2017 will go down as a good one for the various bloodstock sales in Ireland.

Overall, the industry can look to the future with a reasonable degree of optimism and all the trends point to the major sales continuing their momentum over the course of 2018 but there are a couple of points to note.

Once again the last 12 months illustrated that there is not sufficient demand to absorb any further increase in foal crops or an increase in the number of horses being brought to auction. Indeed this is likely to remain an issue for some time to come. Furthermore the major unknown that is Brexit remains a concern as quite simply no one can quantify its potentially far-reaching consequences.

FLAT INDUSTRY

The Goffs Orby Sale was the highest grossing auction of the year in Ireland. Top lots of €1.6m and €1.2m and a total of 120 six-figure transactions illustrated that quality stock sells as well at this sale as it would anywhere else.

The previous week the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale posted a record set of returns and this marked the eighth year in a row that this sale has grown. An average of €28,556 was a 14-point improvement on 2016 while the decision to tighten the numbers for the sale and scale back on the previous year had a very positive effect.

The country’s other major yearling sale – the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale – also benefited from being slimmed down and all key indicators finished ahead of 2016 while the sale posted a much improved 85% clearance rate.

NATIONAL HUNT INDUSTRY

The Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale average of €51,645 was unprecedented. Over the two days some 33 lots reached six figures while a notable aspect of the sale was the strength of the middle market.

A fortnight previously the Goffs Land Rover Sale performed especially well and was among a host of auctions this year to benefit from producing a slimmed-down catalogue.

Truly less is more nowadays and this is something the industry would do well to heed.

The €32,291 average was a new Land Rover record while the €28,000 median was 40% up.

Central to the success of the store sales are the various sales that take place during the year for young form horses and point-to-pointers. The success of these auctions feed directly back into the store.

FOALS AND BREEDING STOCK

Demand was red-hot at the Goffs November Foal Sale where Part 1 of the sale towered above the corresponding days from 12 months ago.

An improved clearance rate, almost double the number of six-figure transactions (56) and a top lot of €1.1m made for a memorable sale whose revised format looked to work especially well.

The previous week the November National Hunt Sale at Tattersalls Ireland also performed very well. A €15,991 average and an €11,500 median were both records while the clearance climbed up to 73%.

No mention of the Irish sales year would be complete without the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale which continues to make great strides. The only sale of its kind in Ireland saw its turnover break through the €6m barrier for the first time in its history. The average was a record €34,977 and an unprecedented 13 lots made six figures.

1. Trainers’ battle

The battle between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott for the National Hunt trainers’ championship was nothing short of enthralling. It was only on the penultimate day of the season that Mullins finally edged ahead of his great rival and both trainers played their part in a magnificent finale to the campaign.

2. Keane comes out on top

This was also the year in which a new champion flat jockey was crowned as a titanic struggle between Pat Smullen and Colin Keane ended with victory for the latter. The fanfare and atmosphere generated by Keane’s many supporters lit up the final day of the season at Naas.

3. O’Briens’ heroics

Saxon Warrior’s Racing Post Trophy triumph was notable on a number of fronts. His gritty success marked him out as perhaps the star juvenile of 2017 while the Deep Impact colt also clinched the record of Group 1 wins in a calendar year for Aidan O’Brien. Aidan’s son Joseph provided another standout moment when training Rekindling to victory in the Melbourne Cup.