A TOP return of €13,000 set a promising seasonal benchmark at the Cavan opener last Tuesday. Boding well for the year ahead and dominating a busy, if two-tier day’s trading, the sale of Padraig Howley’s four-year-old contributed to a healthy clearance rate of 73% (76% in 2016) and steadied the average to €2,726 (€2,747).

Adding to the feel-good factor, the sale attracted a glut of overseas buyers, leading Cavan’s Stuart Clarke to comment, “It was a very positive start to the year. There was a great crowd all day – lots of new faces from the private sector, and it was interesting to note that the dealers did not take home as many as they may ideally have liked.”

It was not the first time that Sligo stallion man and breeder Padraig Howley has headed the tables at Cavan and, as the figures illustrate, his four-year-old by Sligo Candy Boy was a class apart. Selling as one of the last lots of the day, the brown gelding (142) with white socks was extremely well produced by Howley’s son Vincent, and looked both a talented and commercial prospect.

As a result, it came as no surprise to see his sale develop into a real tussle for ownership, but one that Athlone producer Jim Derwin was never going to lose. In fact it was eight-year-old James Derwin who made the winning bid, and at the end of the day, the burgeoning dealer made sure his purchase was correctly rugged up to travel home! “He was a very, very nice horse,” Derwin Snr said afterwards. “I like the Sligo Candy Boy progeny. This one was a good colour and went extremely well.”

Having sold the dam (by Lombardo) to James Brennan many years ago, Howley bought his sale-topper in his two-year-old year. He also has a full-brother waiting in the wings, so he was delighted to see Derwin sign the docket. “I think he has a big future,” said the Enniscrone man. “I know Jim will get him into a home where he will have a chance to prove it.”

While Howley’s gelding was fully deserving of his sale-topping status, there was quite a gulf in the remaining figures. The catalogue had delivered a selection of stock that was more workmanlike than eye-catching, and next in line at €6,000 was Ciaran Nallon’s seven-year-old 148cms pony Brookhill Summer Beauty (29). The highlight of a strong sector of ponies, the seven-year-old mare impressed under his owner, before she was one of several knocked down to a continental cash buyer. “I’ve jumped her in a couple of shows at 1.10m and I think she will make a good one,” said top pony rider Nallon.

The quality of stock improved with the appearance of the four-year-olds, and although only eight changed hands, another to sell satisfactorily was Callam Reynolds’ Highmeadows Rodeo Star (141) a home-bred gelding by the former Belmont House stallion Lifestar (Hols) out of Traveller Ohio (Ard Ohio). An active Jim Derwin secured this improver for €5,700, and also made the winning bid for John Craig’s good-moving, traditionally bred gelding (89) Ardkeel Lad (by Sharemona) for €5,000. Well known as a prominent event horse owner and breeder, Craig sourced this gelding as a foal, before sending him to Cian Doyle to produce for sale.

Just one remaining lot broke the €5,000 mark, namely Lisa Patterson’s experienced campaigner Ballyfore Luisa (63). A catalogue pick on paper, the nine-year-old daughter of Luidam had clocked up 86 SJI points, and was secured for €5,650 in a private sale. Yorkshire dealer Graham Sugden accounted for this useful sort, before parting with €4,700 for Daisy Duggan’s attractive mare Dreamstown (98), by Ramiro B, for €4,700. This polished mare showcased exceptionally well under Duggan, leading Sugden to comment, “She will hopefully go eventing pretty quickly, and looks an ideal prospect for the Grass Roots series.”

Duggan’s mare was one of 10 lots to realise between €4,000 and €5,000, and standing out among the remainder was Stephen Howley’s homebred mare (88) by Ramiro B. Highly rated by her vendor, she was knocked down to first time visitor Emma Johanson Wylie for €4,400.

Completing a good day for the Howley family, the athletic Sligo Balou Girl (103), by Balou du Rouet, also sold well when secured by Shropshire dealer Ran Arbel for €4,300.