With another buoyant Monart Sale last week, things are going better for the sports horse industry at ground level than it appears to be at organisational level.

With boardroom resignations over the future of CEO Denis Duggan, a clearly fractured Horse Sport Ireland has a lot to sort out.

The Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale came to a close on Thursday evening with 111 yearlings, 1,151 foals and 112 broodmares up for sale.

I was lucky enough to see the last of the magnificent mares go through the ring, including one I had a hoof-share in. As a first time “owner” to see your horse enter the famous ring, is quite a moment. And if things go to plan, even better.

Harmonised

The lilting rhythm of the auctioneer as he verbalises the animals circling, harmonised by the hawk-like calls of the spotters, always seems to me a fascinating job. So, it came as a surprise to discover that no women are brandishing the hammer.

I found this out from Tattersall’s CEO and auctioneer Simon Kerins, who somehow found the voice after four gruelling sales days, to be on the panel for the Women’s Irish Network for Racing (WINR) event, held after the last mare left the ring.

WINR was founded to support and inspire young women employed in all aspects of horse racing. I’m not sure of the WINR definition of ‘young’ but despite pushing 50, I’ve attended their events and been welcomed with open canapés and warm support.

Barrier

Back to the gavel. There are currently no female bloodstock auctioneers working in Europe. There has been one however, Aurelie Branere, who broke that barrier for women by becoming the first female auctioneer at a major European bloodstock sale.

Branere took to the rostrum during the final session of the Arqana Autumn Sale in Deauville, France in 2015.

Kerins was encouraging when it comes to female auctioneers, but admitted it’s perhaps not as easy to become an auctioneer as it used to.

“Get started in marts,” he advised. “But you need a license and it’s a challenge. We’d love to see a woman in the rostrum.” That’s a gauntlet if ever I heard one.

The WINR event consisted of mare and foal viewings with bloodstock agent Anna Ross and consignor Olive O’ Connor. After that, WINR co-founder Clodagh McKenna chaired the discussion panel.

Ross and O’Connor joined Kerins and head of bloodstock at Tattersalls, Orla McKenna. Attendees were treated to some great and straight discussion on the realities of the bloodstock industry.

All went home with food for thought and a goody bag of WINR hats and other treats.

Thrills

Speaking of hammering, huge congratulations to our recently featured Jessica Burke and her breathtaking mare Inpulss, who won their first 5* competition on Friday at the Stuttgart German Masters, annihilating the competition with a time of 57.17 seconds. This pair are giving us all thrills this season and are a real inspiration to watch.