Sally Parkyn
A STEADY run of good trade on Saturday lifted spirits at Goresbridge, where the market for foals had seesawed over all three days.
Breeders had met with mixed fortunes, but looking at the positives there was a solid demand for the commercially-bred foal and 10 realised in excess of €4,000. While these better prices have levelled since last year, it was still good to see some competitive and lively exchanges.
In addition, and despite only running over three days rather than four in 2013, the figures illustrated an almost identical turnover, together with a welcome increased average of €1,694 (€1,405 in 2013).
At the lower end of the market, however, the appetite was muted for the less immediately attractive foals and in many cases the best bids fell way short of the covering fees alone.
Overall, the clearance rate of 46% was a true reflection of the sale, leading Martin Donohoe to comment: “Although there were no five figure prices this year, trade was more even and a larger number of foals changed hands at realistic prices. The clearance was quite satisfactory and the better foals sold well, but unfortunately for the breeders, few buyers will take a chance on the in-between ones.”
Sale-topping honours belonged to the Connolly family, whose well-produced colt foal CSF Risky Business (378) by Flexible headed the three-day figures at €5,400.
The well-related colt is out of Angie Van Paemel (by Darco), a full-sister to the international show jumper Verdi van Paemel, and a half-sister to both Cassandra van Paemel and the up-and-coming Galisco Van Paemell. Only an eight-year-old, Galisco Van Paemel was recently placed fourth in Lanaken’s FEI Sires Of The World championship under Nick Vrins.
A young foal, Risky Business came on the market at €4,800 before he was finally secured by Ballyneety stud owner Fiona Hickey. Already standing the stallions My O My and the homebred Butlers Cravat, Hickey has a stud career mapped out for her new arrival.
“I’m looking to the future,” she commented. “I think that Flexible is coming of age and in times to come everyone will be looking for his bloodlines. I thought the foal had a very good pedigree and was good value.”
Loyal to their continental dam lines, the Connollys also did well with CSF Touch of Classe (414), a colt by Classe VDL out of the well-related Oldenburg mare CSF Alina (Argentinus). A head-turner during the day, this colt was knocked down to Co Wexford ridden horse producer Jason Higgins for €5,200.
“For me he was one of the nicest foals here this week,” remarked Higgins. “He has the looks combined with a real performance pedigree.”
Although Patrick Connolly’s consignment did not break any records this year, the Tuam man was nevertheless pragmatic about his return.
“They are two nice foals and light on their feet,” he reflected. “Trade is tough and slow but any day you can sell two foals at around the €5,000 apiece is not too bad.”
The remaining lot to reach the €5,000 mark was James Hoare’s Dowdstown Royalty (355), a rare colt foal by Cavalier Royale (dam by Numero Uno).
Well bred, the colt is the second foal out of Dowdstown Jolie, whose own dam was show jumped by the British international Tim Gredley. Unsurprisingly, the ringside filled for this one, who, once he went on the market at €4,700, was eventually snapped up by a determined English cash buyer for €5,000. He will be produced in Ireland for the time being and is likely to be kept entire.
Among the remaining six foals to realise in excess of €4,000 was Michael Callery’s dark brown colt by Kings Master (dam by Cavalier Royale) at €4,400. Having struggled to fill his order book during the week, Dessie Gibson was delighted to have secured this one, who is likely to have a show ring or a competition career.
“First of all I liked the fact that he was by Kings Master,” he said afterwards. “Secondly that he was out of a Cavalier mare and that he moved as well as any continental.”
Equally thrilled was the colt’s breeder, Michael Callery.
“It’s great to see that people still like a bit of Irish,” he remarked of the colt, whose dam is a full-sister to the American-based event horse Cavalier Clover Boy.
Flexible featured again as the sire of George Clohessy’s top priced filly (363) at €4,300. Dr Noel Cawley signed for this well grown individual, who is out of the show jumping mare Ollies Touch of Class (by Clover Hill), a winner on both the English and Irish circuits.
Although in general the fillies fought to make an impression, prominent consigner Stephen Reilly did well when his filly Creevyquinn Eva (419) changed hands at €4,200. The daughter of Cardento is out of Ballintogher Evidence (Cavalier Royale), a full-sister to the grade A show jumper Shannondale Ard Ri.
Signing on behalf of a Swedish client, Brendan Doyle commented: “She will go show jumping. She is a lovely, blood, athletic filly.”
Completing Saturday’s better trade, Paschal Connolly’s show winner Kilmanahan Vendi (446) sold for the same amount. The son of Ars Vivendi (dam by Urlingford) had enjoyed a successful show campaign this summer, and is a half-brother to the good event horse Before Time.
Co Clare producer Tom Casey signed for this eye-catcher, saying: “I saw him at the Waterford Breeders show at Lismore, and thought he was a lovely colt who was a good colour and a great presence. He is a great mover and will develop into a horse who I hope could become a future Go For Gold prospect.”
QUOTES FROM THE RINGSIDE
“We have rented a shed with the view of buying a few, but we haven’t found many we like. We are looking for a good-looking blood type, with a good step and ideally a good performance pedigree.”
- Philip Murphy, Wexford-based pinhooker and sport horse producer
“There are a lot of middling and plain foals here this week, and if they don’t jump there is no job for them.”
- Tom Casey, pinhooker, show and performance producer
“I’m looking for a blood foal with a good front leg to make an event horse – I’m struggling to see one.”
- James McEvoy, event horse producer
“Model and a good front leg are in short supply. In fact the front legs are getting worse as the years go on. There are also too many unrecognisable stallions, so it become hard to assess how the foals will develop.”
- Des Gibson, show producer
“It was good to see trade improve on Saturday. However I do wish that buyers would start to appreciate the good fillies. There are plenty eventing and show jumping to a top level, including this year’s Badminton winner Paulank Brockagh and the Lanaken runner-up Ard Ginger Pop.”
- Barbara Hatton, stallion owner