AFTER a hiatus of four years, Goresbridge Horse Sales is gearing up to reinvigorate its thoroughbred platform under the leadership of Ed Donohoe.

The return of thoroughbred sales to Goresbridge will commence with a sale of ‘Point-To-Point Horses and Horses in Training’ scheduled for Thursday, April 18th.

Donohoe says the decision to reintroduce thoroughbred sales follows extensive discussions with breeders and trainers, revealing a notable lack of sales avenues in this sector.

Now at the helm of the business, Ed Donohoe has long harboured ambitions to re-enter the thoroughbred market. “Over the years,” Ed notes, “numerous breeders and buyers, both from the flat and National Hunt sectors, have approached me with inquiries about the potential revival of thoroughbred sales at Goresbridge.”

More associated with sport horse sales, Goresbridge staged a successful thoroughbred breeze-up sale from 2006 to 2018 in association with Gowran Park. The sale was then acquired by Tattersalls Ireland and moved to Fairyhouse but it is still described as the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale.

More recently Goresbridge has been in the news as the sales venue where trainer Shark Hanlon bought Hewick for €850 in 2017. The horse has since won a Galway Plate, American Grand National and a King George VI Chase.

Donohoe believes there is a significant void in the market for point-to-point horses in Ireland. “It really annoys me that all our producers of point-to-point horses have to go to Britain to sell their wares, except for a couple of the marquee sales that take a small number of select horses.” He pointed to the financial strain placed on handlers by the expense of transporting horses to Britain, particularly given the logistical challenges exacerbated by Brexit.

Goresbridge aims to provide a cost-effective outlet within an established sales environment, he said.

The April 18th sale will have the full support of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, including the Inward Buyer Programme. Entries close on March 25th.

Web: goresbridge.com