ANOTHER big crowd gathered at Cavan last Tuesday, where the one-day sale produced a solid session of trading. Both commercial and private buyers were keen to get involved at all levels and their combined efforts contributed to a welcome growth in the average to €3,325 (€2,658 in 2018). The top return of €10,500 illustrated another notable improvement from 12 months ago, and while the clearance dipped marginally, it closed at a still respectable 68% (70%).
The recent upsurge in auction prices meant that some vendors were not prepared to sell on the day, but others including sale-topping vendor Paddy Murphy were more than happy with their returns.
Murphy’s six-year-old LMD Womanizer (65) returned the sole five-figure sum of the day, and at €10,500 bettered the remaining figures by a distance. A catalogue pick on paper, the bay six-year-old was bred by Larry McDermott in Co Galway, and sourced by the Co Wexford-based Murphy family as a three-year-old.
A son of Womanizer out of the Dutch-bred mare Urbella, he has clocked up a career total of 31 SJI points to date won in classes up to and including 1.20m. He has been produced entirely by Lisa Murphy and was only being sold to dissolve a partnership. The happy buyer meanwhile was Kerri Ann Boyle, who had made the journey from Donegal. An amateur show jumper, Boyle was returning to competition after an absence of several years.
“This is the first horse I have bought since 2010. I just liked the fact he had competed, and looked to have an easy temperament,” she said.
Trade buyers dominated the action and largely tussling between themselves, accounted for the remaining notables. Among them were Kent-based dealers Geoff and Candy Martin, who accompanied by their eventing son Oli, paid €6,600 for Patricia Grimes’ home-bred mare Nessa (64) by Harlequin du Carel. Oli, who is supported by a British lottery funded young professional scheme, has been gathering together a smart collection of young horses, with the view to producing them further and possibly selling on.
“She is a good mover. We also knew her background, which was another bonus,” commented her mother. Kinnety, Co Offaly producer David Maher rode this one, who has training form in both show jumping and eventing.
A few lots later, and selling for the same return was Jimmy Flynn’s home-bred mare Saoirse Banuil (70), a six-year-old by Riverland Roi out of Saoirse Jilly (Grosvenor Lad). The winner of 56 SJI points in just one season, this Ballinasloe-consigned mare was produced by Keith Clogher, and was one of three lots knocked down to British buyer David Gwillam. She showcased well under Clogher who commented afterwards:“We’ve had lots of fun with her – she’s really careful.”
There was a flurry of good prices in the afternoon, and at €6,500, another fell to Charlie Coakley’s home-bred grey gelding Latin Graaf, who easily headed the four-year-old figures. Standing out in the catalogue, and well showcased by his producer Joanna Kunc, this good sort was by the Burgraaf-sired stallion Diamond Graaf out of the thoroughbred mare Latin Prayer, by Soviet Star. Yet to tip a pole from his eight outings under rules, and already the winner of eight SJI points, he looked very well bought by British trade customers Hancock Horses.
The Telford-based business accounted for a further three lots during the day, among which was Simone Curtis’s home-bred five-year-old by Arkan (83) out of Javas Dark Secret (Ard VDL Douglas). Very well related from the immediate dam line of Javas Wild Child (1.50m) and changing hands for €6,000, this gelding had been hunted with the Farney Harriers and lightly competed.
Topping the morning session, also at €6,000, was Sonia Graham’s well-presented seven-year-old The Barber (54). Secured by Trade Horses Ltd, this full Irish Draught by Fintan Himself (dam by Star Kingdom) had proven mileage and was placed runner-up in the Irish Draught class at the Cavan Festival last year. He also qualified for the working hunter class at the same event was described as a top-class performer at riding club level.
“He’s just a pet,” remarked his Co Down based vendor. “I bought him in Rosslare as a rising five-year-old, and he’s now ready to have a new home, and give confidence to a new rider.”
PONIES
While the pony trade was solid enough, the prices steadied in comparison to recent sales. The top price of €4,700 went to Aileen Anderson’s Golden Shadow (27) a 150cms Connemara gelding by Black Shadow (dam by Abbeyleix Owen). Consigned by Anderson’s Iceford Stables in Co Mayo, the dun was well showcased by Jonathan McDonald and secured by Ballinasloe trader Kieran Egan.
IRISH DRAUGHT AND YOUNGSTOCK SALE
The day closed with a small sale of Irish Draught horses and sport horse youngstock. Demand was limited in both sectors, with the overall best price of €2,700 going to Catherine Dunphy’s Livante (137) a well related yearling filly by SIEC Livello out of Charmante Rokarr (Cracker Jack).
Runner-up in the show jumping filly category at the HSI championships, and hailing from a very stout Swedish dam’s line, she was astutely bought by Trade Horses Ltd.
TOP PRICES
Paddy Murphy’s LMD Womanizer, 6yo gelding by Womanizer (dam by Baloubet du Rouet) €10,500
Patricia Grimes’s Nessa, 6yo mare by Harlequin du Carel (dam by Clover Hill) €6,600
Jimmy Flynn’s Saoirse Banuil, 6yo mare by Riverland Roi (dam by Grosvenor Lad) €6,600
Charlie Coakley’s Latin Graf, 4yo gelding by Diamond Graaf (dam by Soviet Star) €6,500
Sonia Graham’s The Barber, 7yo gelding by Fintan Himself (dam by Star Kingdom) €6,000
Simone Curtis’s 5yo gelding by Arkan (dam by VDL Douglas) €6,000