THE NOVEMBER National Hunt Sales are scheduled for the 9th to the 13th of this month, with 1,331 horses listed for sale.

With a mixture of foals, yearlings, mares and unbroken stock, this sale is greatly reduced in terms of numbers as the total in 2008 was 2,825. This reduction of in excess of 50% is a shocking tale on the state of the bloodstock industry, with the suspicion that farms and fields throughout the county are chock-a-block with unsellable horses, if they haven't already been moved onto factories.

With 'Presenting' (79), 'Flemensfirth' (73), 'Milan' (71) and 'Westener' (59) topping the foal sire league, local stallions are fairly struggling to get a look in. The now-deceased ' Heron Island' was the only one to make any inroads with his truncated season yielding 37 representatives.

From the vendors' side, a number of prominent sales names are on the missing list, but the flag is still being waved by Thistletown Stud who have a healthy listing, with 18 representatives, the highest of any sales preparation stud in the county.

Also included are the Jamestown Consignment with 15 lots, while others include Parkville Stud, L and B Sales, Garryrichard and Priory Lodge Stud. With all of them offering choicely-bred lots, they must hope for an active trade.

SUPPORTERS' CLUB

The A.G.M. of the Wexford Racecourse Supporters' Club will take place on December 11 in the Ivy Rooms at the race track at Bettyville. Anyone interested in becoming a member is encouraged to attend as in the current climate, every new member is to be welcomed.

With a start time of 8 p.m., the new office-holders will be elected on the night, with every new idea given an airing.

REVIEW OF THE WEEK

The Flat season is really on the wind down, but both Messrs. O'Brien and Bolger continue on their merry way. Aidan O'Brien sent out 'Don Carlos' to win his two-yearold maiden at Leopardstown on Monday week, while 'Jan Vermeer' took the last European two-year-old Group 1 at Saint Cloud on Sunday.

Bolger on the other hand stayed local, with 'Free Judgement' taking the Group 3 for two-year-olds and 'Silent Decision' winning on the same card.

Over jumps, Paul Nolan sent out two really nice hurdling prospects, with 'Shinrock Paddy' winning at Punchestown under Alain Cawley and 'Noble Prince' victorious at Naas under the same jockey. These two horses look likely to add to Nolan's haul over the coming winter months.

On the jockey front, John Cullen won at Punchestown on Wednesday with the Oliver Brady-trained 'Takestan', and David Casey teamed up with Charlie Swan on Monday week to win with 'Last Draw'.

Gorey native, Lorcan Donnelly, has really hit a rich vein of form recently, and his yard at Redcross struck again when winning with 'West Ship Master' at Clonmel in the handicap hurdle on Thursday. Ridden by Andrew Latta, the five-year-old son of 'Oscar' sprang a surprise at 20/1.

Another surprise winner was the Seán Brennan-owned 'The Last Derby' who plundered a big prize over the water at Ascot on Saturday last at 33/1. Ridden by Liam Threadwell, the fiveyear-old by 'Anabaa', trained by Eoin Griffin, was running in his first handicap for his Ballywilliam-based owner.

BETWEEN THE FLAGS

In the point-to-point fields, Denis Murphy and Shane Byrne travelled to Toomebridge on Saturday week to win the opener with 'Hall Kelly'. This fouryear-old by 'Saddlers Hall' ran on well in a tight five-way finish with only two and a half lengths between them all.

The Golden Vale Foxhounds meeting in Glenbane saw a nice local haul, with some impressive winners, none more so than the Jamie Codd-ridden 'Royal Reveille' who took the four-year-old maiden. This son of 'Old Vic' gave retired jockey, Sam Curling, his first winner.

Another to score his first winner was the Silversprings-based Jimmy O'Rourke who won on his father's 'Money Trail'. This seven-year-old son of 'Norwich', an ex-track performer, stayed on well for the 18-year-old in the colours of his mother, Phyllis.

At the same meeting, Michael Cullen's yard in Rathgarogue sent out 'Belle Brook' to take the mares' maiden under John Thomas McNamara. This five-year-old 'Alderbrook' mare did this well and it will be interesting to see if she races on in Ann Cullen's colours or in someone else's over the coming months.

LINGSTOWN RE-SCHEDULED

Lingstown point-to-point, postponed due to last weekend's weather, is rescheduled for Saturday next, November 7, with entires standing.

- With Dick White