ALTHOUGH 2020’s Indian Summer conditions were replaced by monsoon conditions last Sunday afternoon in Claremorris, Liam Lynskey was upbeat about how the second running of the Ireland West Foal Championship and Sale went.

“I was delighted, we had a great day with 95 foals entered across seven classes. All classes were well supported and the sport horse colt foal class was the largest I had ever seen with, I think, 30 foals in the ring and the standard in every class was very high. It was great to see.

“People and foals came from every corner of the country, there was a good crowd and a great atmosphere,” he added.

The aim of the new venture is to provide both a show and sale more local to western breeders than Cavan or Goresbridge and particularly with Ballinasloe Fair, a traditional place for farmer-breeders to sell foals, cancelled for a second year.

Held at co-organiser Charles Hanley’s Claremorris School of Equitation base, the show had two judging rings; one for native breed classes, judged by Victoria Teuton and Vincent Holian while Ulla Connolly and Eamon Gleeson were on duty for the sport horse classes.

The first winner of the Irish Draught colt class was Tom Burke who won with a grey filly by his own stallion Castlegar Cool Fin, ahead of Michael McHugh’s Gortfree Hero entry.

Liam Ryan was third last year in the Irish Draught colt foal class with one by Clew Bay Bouncer but bounced back to win this year with another by the late sire. Completing a Clew Bay Bouncer one-two was one a colt owned by Louisburgh’s Tom Burke.

In the Connemara sections, there were red ribbons for Paddy Kearns with a Glencarrig Knight filly, and David Connolly’s Ross Fear Bui colt. Ryan Monahan’s Rathcoona Lightning filly and Paula Campbell’s Doire Mhianaigh Cascade colt placed second in these classes.

Niamh Varley won the sport horse filly class with one by her father’s thoroughbred Elusive Emir and Tommy Howley was second with his Sligo Candy Boy grey. In the colt section, Anna Bobel’s Rock ‘N Roll Ter Putte colt won out with Edward Clarke’s DS Are You With Me entry in second.

Emotional win

It was an emotional win for Sophie Browne in the sport pony foal class as her Aniar Cashel colt was the happy outcome of a nightmare foaling for his dam Wish Upon A Star. Both were saved by ‘wonder vet’ Philip McManus, who, while on duty last Sunday at the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society stallion inspections at Creagh Equestrian Centre, received at WhatsApp picture of ‘Phil’ wearing his red rosette at Claremorris. Second was Edward and Catherine Gibbons’ Hans filly foal.

“I’d like to thank all our sponsors, in particular Horse Sport Ireland who gave €3,000. Without their sponsorship, this opportunity would not be there for breeders to compete for a total prize fund of over €6,000 and show their foals to potential buyers,” Liam added.

According to him, the average price per foal sold was €2,800 with Owen Horan’s Canturo Lui colt topping the sale at €6,000. “We had Marteye for online bidding and this was also a good help.” This was the second year Horan had the sales-topper as last year’s lot (€4,200) was by his Canturo – Luidam stallion, Canturo Lui.