At the conclusion of last night’s second session of the Derby Sale at Fairyhouse, figures were markedly down on last year, very much in line with the trend witnessed at both Goffs and Doncaster.

Nonetheless demand remained intact for the high-class individual and a total of eleven lots have so far broken the six-figure barrier.

Margaret O’Toole continued her spree yesterday after having secured the joint-highest-priced lot on day one. She and Howard Johnson raised the stakes for lot 408, a Presenting gelding consigned by Jimmy Murphy’s Redpender Stud, which was ultimately knocked down to O’Toole for €255,000. Murphy had paid only €26,000 for him as a foal.

The gelding is out of a two-time bumper winner, herself out of black-type winning hurdler Sea Gale.

Earlier on in the day O’Toole secured lot 357, a gelding from Rathturtin Stud, by in-demand sire Flemensfirth. Out of a full-sister to Grade 2 placed hurdler Three Scholars from the family of Dawn Run, he was bought for just €11,000 as a foal but O’Toole paid the store price of €155,000.

Aiden Murphy went to €140,000 for a Beneficial gelding consigned by Lakefield Farm. He is expected to join Philip Hobbs next year.

Turnover for the sale has shown a drop of 48% while both the median and average dipped by 23% and 21% respectively. One positive aspect of the sale however was the healthy number of horses sold, up seven points to 75%.

After the day’s trade Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director George Mernagh commented, “The figures may have not reached the extravagant heights of the last few years, however we are still happy with the top end of the market given the strong bidding activity on the many quality horses in demand here.

“There are stalwart buyers from both England and Ireland who have continued their consistent investment at this sale. It is not news to anyone to say that the bloodstock market in general has been forced to sober up, and the readjustment of the wider economy, particularly in Ireland, has been reflected here this week. ”

Part 2 of the Derby Sale continues today at 10.30am and can be viewed live at www.tattersalls.ie.