DELIVERING a set of solid returns and consolidating the consistency shown this year, last week’s two-day renewal at Goresbridge was a lively affair. A sizeable contingent of customers from England, mainland Europe and America competed with an equally determined band of home buyers to produce a healthy clearance rate of 78% (74% in 2017). Prices clustered well, and although the average dipped to €3,333 (€3,787), a total of 46 lots realised in excess of €4,000 (19 made over €5,000).
Decreasing breeding practices and alternative marketing routes are now having a notable impact on sales entries, and while the deficit has led to fewer sale days, it has not deterred the private buyers. The overall buoyancy spanned all the age sectors, leading Goresbridge’s Martin Donohoe to comment: “It was another strong sale – and great to see so many customers in the yard, both old and new.”
SALE-TOPPER
Not for the first time at the venue, the sale-topping honours, at €9,800, fell to Co Wexford producer and pinhooker Jason Higgins. This time around he was represented by an attractive four-year-old gelding (224) by Hector Van d’Abdijhoeve (dam by Apache d’Adriers). Registered with the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland, the grey impressed the pundits both by his ability and his temperament, and none more so than successful purchaser Robyn Moran. The Co Limerick-based pony rider, who is one of the nominees for The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month award, was accompanied by her father Brian. “We thought he had plenty of scope, he looked easy and seemed to have a good mind,” said Moran, who plans to slowly produce this gelding through the ranks.
OLDER HORSES
The better prices were spread evenly over the two days and heading Tuesday’s figures at €8,800 was Paula Widger’s classy gelding by Royale Concorde out of Dolmen Denial (Ricardo Z). The vendors had utilised the promotional video facility on the Goresbridge website, which as a result had caught the eye of Austrian rider Claudia Kaindell.
A regular buyer at the Go For Gold sale, Kaindell was unable to travel to the sale, but having received good reports of his showcase performance under Barbara Allen, decided to bid by phone. She had to battle hard to secure him but was delighted when the hammer finally fell in her favour.
“First of all, I loved his eye, and thought he looked very honest,” she said. “When I watched the video I was impressed how clever he was over his fences. Now I can’t wait for him to arrive!” The five-year-old, who was bred by Jack Murphy and sourced by Widger two years ago, had been well hunted with the Woodstown Harriers.
Event buyers were extremely active throughout, and another heading down that route is Vincent Meaney’s five-year-old (179) by Lux Z. Dorset owner and first time Goresbridge visitor Miranda Fairhurst signed for this smart sort, who will now be ridden by Australian Olympian Sam Griffiths. “I love the Irish horses and felt that this one had exceptional presence and jump,” she said.
Early on Wednesday morning, Padraig Leacy’s chesnut mare (138) by Premier Sport changed hands privately at €6,800, while next in line were two sought after sons of Nicky Cousins’ popular sport horse sire Tullabeg Fusion. The first, owned by Jenny Roche, was a six-year-old (119) who looked well bought by Jim Derwin at €6,000, while the second of the duo (32) was consigned by Cousins himself. Well related, and a catalogue pick on paper, he is a full brother to the CNC3* event horse Tullabeg Flamenco (Sam Watson) as well as the CNCJ* national champion Tullabeg Vision (Padraig Harrington) and Tullabeg Tango (Sarah Ennis). A journey to America is on the cards for this upstanding gelding, who at €5,800, was snapped up by American event horse buyer Don Devine.
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS
Active throughout, although just missing out on the top two lots, Devine progressed to secure Orla O’Sullivan’s four-year-old by Cascor Z (dam by Darco) for €7,500 and Jodie and Jerry Skelton’s grey gelding (216) at €6,800.
The former had been sourced as a foal, while the latter was bought at Ballinasloe fair last October. A lover of the Irish horse, the American buyer is based jointly between Maine and Ocala and is fast becoming a regular visitor to the venue.
Overall, the quality significantly improved on the appearance of the age group and the interest shown bodes well for the year ahead.
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
Six of the nine three-year-olds on offer changed hands, with the best price of €6,200 falling to Marie Ennet’s home-bred Solsboro Sir Humphrey (256). Leicestershire show jumping buyer Graham Smith accounted for this talented gelding who by Luidam out of Solsboro Highlight by Beau Royale. Although there was no dam’s breeding listed in the catalogue, the gelding is a sibling to several graded performers, while Smith’s wife Holly competes the highly rated mare Solsboro Zeva, also by Luidam.
Other notables included the €4,000 sales of Miley Somers’ gelding (260) by Quantino to Ballygriffin Sport Horses, and a son ( 262) of the Connemara sire Kildromin Major out of a Taipan mare, who was secured by the Co Wexford-based German producer Victoria Von Schoen.
PONIES
The pony returns stood up well to deliver a clearance of 73% and a top price of €3,500. This went to the Burke family’s all-rounder Dun Delight (18) who was knocked down to English dealer Penny Grimster. Also selling well at €3,200 was Trevor English’s home-bred who was secured by Ciaran O’Connor.
TOP RETURNS