“IT was a similar story with both sales,” said Cavan’s Stuart Clarke as he reflected on the outcome of Wednesday’s sale of sport horse youngstock and Thursday’s auction of Irish Draughts.

“Both started off sticky in the morning but things improved as the day went on. Similarly, the averages at both sales were the best they have been for a long, long time and could have been the best ever for the youngstock sale. At the end of both days, the figures looked good and things still look positive.

“That filly on Wednesday was a really lovely foal. She came out of the woodwork but the sale was well-timed given that her sire, who has been one of the talking horses on the jumping circuit, won at Lanaken last weekend.”

The broodmare Cornamuckla Coleen made a top price of €9,500 at Thursday’s sale of Irish Draught Horses when knocked down to Co Clare’s Peter Burns.

Consigned as Lot 212 by her Co Monaghan breeder, Vincent Burns, the 13-year-old Agherlow grey, who is out of a Crannagh Hero mare, was sold certified in foal to Lisatara Tom, sire of her last two progeny. Among the previous four was the 2018 gelding Moylough Vision (by Dunsandle Diamond), winner of the four-year-old working hunter class at the 2022 Dublin Horse Show.

Five lots

Westmeath’s John Bracken purchased five lots at the sale, giving his top price of €8,000 for Lot 199, Jenkinstown Beauty. Also sold by her breeder, in this instance Co Louth’s Paddy Kelly, this six-year-old Class 1 dark bay daughter of Dunsandle Diamond is due her first foal (by High Ho Dubh) next May. She is out of Castlelodge Drumri Rose (by Drumri).

Lot 199, Jenkinstown Beauty, will travel to Wales after being sold for €8,000 at the Cavan Irish Draught sale \ Cavan EC

Bracken parted with €6,000 for the top-priced two-year-old, John Corebett’s home-bred Dungar Lady Jane (Lot 189) who was described in the catalogue as “a quality filly with excellent movement... makings of a top class riding horse”. The Carrickcottage Star grey is out of Dungar Grace (by Agherlow) who has been shown in Dublin.

The third of Bracken’s purchases, at €4,500, was Lot 168, Vincent Burns’ unnamed filly by Lisatara Tom who was the working hunter champion at the 2011 national ID breed show. The bay two-year-old was bred by Burns out of the Fintan Himself mare Dolly Herself who comes from the family of the top performance ID stallion, Gortfree Lakeside Lad.

O’Gorman’s mares

Pat O’Gorman signed for two seven-year-old mares by Dunkerrin Grey Mist who were bred by Fiona Watkins and were consigned to this sale by Fermanagh’s James Melanopy.

For €6,200, O’Gorman secured Loughmelvin Nonin (Lot 194) who is out of the Welcome Flagmount mare Loughmelvin Dubh. In the catalogue, the grey is described as having all the attributes which make Irish Draughts so appealing for the amateur rider.

“Stunning grey mare, really easy to do everything with, she has a first class temperament so easy to handle around from the ground, in the stable, being washed and groomed for turnout, out and about, loading and travelling. Has done all activities from x- country, jumping, flatwork, beach rides hacking out alone and in company. Will do well in any discipline, outstanding all round type.”

O’Gorman gave €5,800 for Loughmelvin Almha (Lot 216) who is out of the Holycross mare Loughmelvin Trionoid.

Lot183A, an unnamed dun colt, went for €4,000 at the Cavan Irish Draught sale \ Cavan EC

Off to Wales

Regular visitor Alun Davies purchased three lots to bring back to Wales headed by Donegal vendor Martina Coyle’s Ashtrees Diamond Lass (Lot) who was knocked down for €4,700. This home-bred three-year-old Class 1 Dunsandle Diamond filly, who has been well-handled, lunged and is jumping a pole, is out of Ashtree Ebony (by Grosvenor Lad). Also heading over to Wales having been purchased for €4,100 is Lot 188, Robert Grant’s unnamed winning show filly by Tors Gentleman Farmer. The roan is out of the Star Kingdom mare Gortfadda Carrig.

Northern Ireland’s Adam Ferris signed the €4,300 chit for Brian Flaherty’s My Cas Lady (Lot 214), an unbroken but well-handled three-year-old filly by Casnova out of My Villa, by Ard Grandpa.