BETTERING last year’s figures by some distance, Goresbridge staged an encouraging seasonal opener last week. Despite the modest entry of just 71 lots (from the 103 catalogued), the one-day renewal delivered a sale-topping figure of €8,200 (€5,500 in 2016) together with a clearance of 70% (57%).

Illustrating a solid market, a further five of the older lots realised €5000 - €7,000 apiece, while the four-year-olds also made an impact to record a top figure of €5,300.

It was also good to see plenty of overseas visitors braving the stormy weather conditions and among them was first-time traveller Caroline Flawn-Thomas accompanied by her son Piers.

Having heard much about the venue and citing a fondness for Irish horses, Berkshire-based Flawn-Thomas secured Joyce Veld’s smart sale-topper by Womanizer (Lot 30) out of Turrocks Lady (Clover Brigade) for €8,200. Bred by Matthew Kelly in Co Roscommon, the well-presented five-year-old had been in the same ownership for two years, in which time he had been hunted with the South Westmeath Harriers, and had jumped in several training shows.

Produced to sell on, Veld was full of praise for this high-class performer, saying “he’s been a real gentleman, and has never put a foot wrong.”

It was the gelding’s attitude, together with his ability to jump that proved irresistible to his successful purchaser.

“We came looking for a really nice horse capable of competing at both riding club and affiliated show jumping,” said Flawn-Thomas.

“We liked the fact that this one had done a bit, yet was still young, and also liked his attitude. He was a very well made type, and jumped and moved well.”

EYE-CATCHER

Another five-year-old to catch the eye was Michael Berry’s lightly competed Caramba Z (Lot 66) a continentally-bred gelding by Carrera VDL out of Ramira (Iroko).

Very well related, and a half-sibling to the European-based international show jumpers Kannoko and Zamira Z, he was knocked down to Warwickshire buyers JA and HJ Boon for €6,800.

Just a few lots earlier, an unusually quiet Jim Derwin signed for his only purchase of the day when accounting for Brendan Ryan’s gelding (Lot 63) by Je T’Aime Flamenco (dam by Coevers Diamond Boy) at €6,100.

The attractive grey looked well bought by the Athlone man, as did Joyce Veld’s preceding offering (Lot 62) by Gelvin Clover out of Paddy Cross (Telling Tales) who went to London trader Harvey Drea for €6,000.

The sale of the traditionally bred six-year-old cemented a good day at the office for Veld, who together with her husband Miley Dunning, runs a competition yard near Athlone. “I think this one has the making of a top class event horse,” she commented.

“Although it was only a small sale, and early in the year, we’re delighted with the prices both horses made today.”

HUNTERS

Next in line at €5,700 was Patrick McCooey’s five-year-old mare Echo Breeze (102) who went through the ring at the end of the day.

A late entry from the supplementary catalogue, this nice mare by Clover Echo (dam by Kotashaan TB) carried a smart record along with 10 SJI points, and was knocked down to Yorkshire dealer Graham Sugden.

Another with jumping form was Mary Murphy’s Lucky Diva (76) a five-year-old grey mare with 12 SJI points to date. Thought suitable for a young rider, and any equestrian sport, she was secured by Norwegian customer Hanne Dyngeland for €5,000.

There was an equally strong trade for hunters, and standing out among them was Simon Scott’s fully warranted Greenhill Douglas (Lot 34). Regular hunter and show dealer Andrew Callwood signed for this individual at €4,500, while earlier in the day, Alyson Bailey paid the same price for Gabriel Slattery’s well-hunted gelding (Lot 21) by Echo King (dam by Clover Hill).

Although there were only 13 four-year-olds forward, demand was competitive for the better individuals. Nine eventually changed hands with the best price falling to Tom Kelly’s locally produced gelding (Lot 87) by OBOS Quality (dam by Porter Rhodes) at €5,300. Shropshire young horse producer and former top lady point-to-point rider Annabelle Dalton signed for this one, who could be aimed for either sphere.

A similar amount of ponies passed through the ring, and while business was modest, regular buyer Penny Grimster accounted for the Connemara pony Ballyerk Cobalt (16) by Blackmoor Hurricane for a respectable €4,000.

TOP FIGURES

Joyce Veld’s 5yo gelding by Womanizer (dam by Clover Brigade) €8,200.

Michael Berry’s 5yo gelding by Carrera VDL (dam by Iroko €6,800.

Brendan Ryan’s 5yo gelding by Je T’Aime Flamenco (dam by Coevers Diamond Boy) €6,100.

Joyce Veld’s 6yo gelding by Gelvin Clover (dam by Telling Tales) €6,000.

Patrick McCooey’s 5yo mare by Clover Echo (dam by Kotashaan TB) €5,700