Sally Parkyn

THE opening day of the Goresbridge marathon began promisingly when the first session of older stock delivered a glut of good returns. Demand on Thursday was strong for both hunters and competition horses, leading to a 71% clearance rate and a top price of €8,200.

Some 20 horses realised in excess of €5,000, while 18 broke the €4,000 mark. The top lot was Patricia Flynn’s sale topping gelding by Mermus R (lot 212).

Unsurprisingly well showcased by Flynn’s husband and former army international show jumper Gerry, the five-year-old EMS Future Estrella was the subject of a competitive exchange, which saw first time visitor Lucy Morgan outstaying home buyer Kirsteen Reid. Morgan, the recently crowned British Pony Club senior individual show jumping champion said: “I show jump and event. I thought he was very versatile and had lots of presence and a great step.”

Sourced by Flynn as a foal, the well-related EMS Future Estrella is the first progeny out of EMS Eimears Pet by Loch Cruise. He is a half sibling to the Patricia Ryan-ridden event horse Brookpark Jazz.

While the fallout from Brexit appears to have done little to dampen the enthusiasm of the British buyers, it was Irish producer Jason Higgins who secured Sven Hadley’s Esprit (lot 142) for €7,800. This well campaigned seven-year-old (by Namelus R) had clocked up 17 SJI points and won three classes at Cavan last July.

“I think he’s a good horse and a cheap one,” declared Hadley afterwards. Higgins is now considering a change of career for the big horse. “He’s attractive, and a blood type, so he just might make an event horse,” he said.

A Goresbridge debutant, Patricia Flynn’s good run continued when her second offering realised €7,700. Big Red (lot 281) was another coveted performer, and this time around the hammer fell in favour of Carol Gee.

Once again, the easy gelding was beautifully produced under Gerry Flynn and, showing extravagant movement, looks another likely event prospect. Bought as a foal, the five-year-old is son of Womanizer (dam by Market Square).

Also catching the eye at €7,000 was Ita McDermott’s grey five-year-old Super Nova (lot 233). Another benefitting from polished production, the daughter of Wild Card Z (dam by Baloubet Du Rouet) was sold to Newry show jumping buyer David Caulfield.

Demand for hunters of all weights was equally lively. There were a number of useful sorts on offer but standing out was Kathryn Taylor’s Loughway Classic (lot 250), a grey nine-year-old by Classic Vision (dam by Enniskeane Pride).

Co Meath based Trade Horses Ltd signed for this smart sort at €6,700, while, earlier in the day, the Sussex based Drea Equestrian paid €6,600 for Noelle Byrne’s similarly bred gelding (lot 140) by Temple Clover (dam by Puissance), who was well-produced by Henry Foley and Joanne Curtin.

“There is a good trade for hunters at the moment, and there’s been a good selection today,” commented Michael Drea. “If you can’t sell them at this time of year, when can you?”

PONIES

Following a somewhat inconsistent trade on Wednesday, the figures illustrated that a moderate 54% changed hands, but that the overall trade had delivered a fairly healthy average of €2,541 and a top price of €5,400.

Gaining the sale topping honours was Joan Dolan’s homebred Kilpatrick Gwendoline (lot 20). The six-year-old Connemara mare by Gwennic De Goariva (dam by Castleside JJ) was well ridden by Jack Ross, and secured in the ring by Sligo based show jumping producers Netherley Ltd.

Dale Adam’s grade A 128cms jumping pony Derravaragh Lily (lot 10) ridden by young Maisie Adams realised €4,000 as did Patsy McConnell’s eight-year-old Arkle Dun Dee (lot 70) by Moonlight Silver Shadow.