The Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale got off to a strong start on its first of three days on Wednesday. With a slightly larger catalogue than last year, 181 lots were sold for €9,674,000, compared to 152 sold for €7,175,500 last year. The average climbed 13% to €53,448, while the median was up 25% at €45,000. The clearance rate also improved at 86% compared to 82% last year.
The top-priced lot of the day was the €220,000 3-year-old gelding Kap Ocean (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}) (lot 62). He was one of two six-figures lots purchased by Malone, who said, “He is a lovely individual. I've been thinking about him so much that I even woke up the other night thinking about him after I'd seen him. He is a lovely horse, a special horse out of a black-type mare and from a proper pedigree. I am delighted to get him.”
The only other offering to surpass the €200,000 mark on the day was an unnamed 3-year-old gelding by Stowaway (GB) (lot 102) bought by Aidan O'Ryan for €205,000.
Joseph O'Brien was busy on the day buying four in total, the dearest of those being a 3-year-old gelding by Presenting (GB) (lot 200) for €135,000.
The final session of Part I of the Derby sale takes place on Thursday.
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