AN extremely healthy clearance rate of 82% combined with a top price of €7,900 contributed to a lively and satisfying renewal at Cavan last week. The pony sector was particularly strong, as buyers from Belgium and Sweden dominated the proceedings.

Trade steadied with the appearance of the horses, but overall still produced figures which compared favourably with those from last year.

Auctioneers worked hard to produce the clearance of 82% (73% in 2016) while the stock changed hands to deliver an average of €3,068 (€2,756).

While the bulk of the better returns emerged from the smaller of the species, it was Michael Murphy’s competition mare Put It Dare (87) that emerged as the overall sale-topper at €7,900.

Bred by Robert Carmichael, and believed to be by Royal Touch out of a thoroughbred mare, the six-year-old had competed in amateur classes under EI rules. Lightly campaigned, she had run in EI 90 classes, producing two double clear rounds from just three starts.

“I broke her in as a youngster, and we only decided to sell her as my daughter has lost interest,” explained the Co Monaghan-based vendor.

A catalogue pick on paper, the mare was well showcased by Keith Wilson, and was one of a total of eight lots knocked down to Shropshire traders John and Verna Hancock.

Another consigner to reap the rewards was Ennis producer Adrian Williams. Accounting for the top four lots in the pony sector, his standout entry was the grade B jumping pony Allihies Starlight (50A). A seven-year-old with 167 SJI points to date, she was eligible to jump in her RDS age group qualifiers this season, and with this entitlement, Williams was surprised when she was secured by Swedish buyer Johann Wetterskog at €6,800.

“I thought she might have stayed in Ireland,” he commented. “She has lots of potential and could be a very good one.”

IMPRESSIVE

All four of Williams’ ponies were expertly ridden by his sons Coen and Rhys, and another to impress was Fillyastic (62a), a 138cms jumping mare who had 27 SJI points under her belt. Described by the vendor of “having the makings of a very good pony,” she realised €5,000 and is also bound for Sweden.

The day started well for the Williams team when their very first lot, the 12-year-old Tullibards Midnight Beauty (1), changed hands for €5,000. A Swedish cash buyer accounted for this diminutive schoolmaster who, standing just 128cms, had previously show jumped under Brian Kuehnle to win 97 SJI points.

Completing the quartet was Honey Dew Lad (25) a registered Connemara jumping pony by Ardgaineen Boy (dam by Robin Hood).

A most attractive golden dun, with hunting and general all around form, he had clocked up 21 jumping points in the past few months, and had makings of an event pony. He was snapped up by a Swedish cash buyer at €4,800.

Also selling well were seven-year-old 148cms Roundstone Jack (14a) by Linsfort Barney, who sold to Scotland’s Arthur McNabney for €4,350, and Shane Hawkins’ England-bound Connemara jumping pony Hogan’s Pride (56) at €4,550.

HORSES

The horses were a mixed bunch, but 17 of the nicest lots sold well to realise in excess of €4,000. Sale-topper aside, the day’s next best return at €6,500 went to Daniel Berney’s home-bred four-year-old (124) by the Irish Draught sire Trumps Warrior. One of just three registered progeny from the sire in 2013, this Co Wexford-bred gelding was out of the Lord Noble-sired mare Rufos Twinkle.

British buyer Andrew Hazeltine signed for this traditionally bred prospect, as he had a few lots earlier for the similarly bred Mr Manor (121) by Mountain Pearl (dam by Clonee Dancer) at €4,000.

The remaining notable prices fell to those in the older horse sector, where two lots realised €5,000 apiece. The first of the duo, which was consigned by Drumury Stud, was Drumury Luidam (80) a seven-year-old mare by Luidam out of Double O 6 (Clover Hill). Bred to jump, this well related prospect is a half-sister to the 1.30m show jumper HHS Mastermind, while her dam is a full-sister to the Nations Cup horse 007 and from the family of top international mare Craven. Co Meath’s Trade Horses was at ringside for this one.

Later in the day, Vincent Meaney’s five-year-old (97) palomino gelding (no recorded breeding) was knocked down to Swedish buyer Annika Wikner.

Linnea Persson’s Edgar (73) an eight-year-old gelding by Centurano (dam by Voltaire), was among others to impress. Described as having the scope and ability to move up through the grades, he was secured by Essex customer Rachel Tyler for €4,800.

A few lots later, regular sales buyer Graham Sugden signed for Norman Allen’s Knockrath Chunky by Tolstoy (by Porsch) for €4,700, while Keith Wilson’s traditionally bred gelding (74a) by Ryne Clover (dam by Diamond Chin) realised €4,750.