HEADING into week two of the six-day sale, and kicking off at the slightly later time of 12 noon, it is the three-year-olds who take centre stage. For pinhookers and producers, this is the most important feature of the marathon, and the catalogue of 405 lots appears to have plenty to recommend.
Most of the well-known stallions feature in the list of covering sires, most notably the Coolballyshan resident duo OBOS Quality and Future Trend. The former has headed the stallion lists for almost the entire year, and once again dominates this entry with 31 progeny on offer. Stable mate Future Trend is also well represented with 19, as are the traditionally bred veteran Kings Master (9) and the late Harlequin du Carel, who features with seven.
Others to make an impact include Beowulf and Uskerty Diamond Lad with six apiece, and Dignified Van’t ’Zorgvliet (5), Emperor Augustus (5), Pointilliste (5) Puissance (5) and Sligo Candy Boy (5).
Blacktype pedigrees appear in abundance, and standing out among them is the gelding Snowbound (Lot 590) who is closely related to last year’s €20,000 sale-topper Coachella (Ustinov). Only last week, the four-year-old Coachella landed the Irish Breeders’ Classic finals, while her sibling True Grit (1.40m) headed the 2014 renewal at €16,000.
MONDAY
FILLIES
Lot 428 reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by OBOS Quality out of Westwinds Lune de Miele (French Buffet). Bred to event, this well related filly is out of a half-sister to the international horses Westwinds Hercules (CCI3* and Nations Cup representative), Westwinds Jack Of Hearts (CIC3* and Nations Cup), Westwinds Karlos (CIC2*) and Westwinds MacKenzie (CIC1*). Also to the Stepping Stones winner Westwinds Navigator.
Lot 442 Wolf Athena, reg 3yo b f 165cms by Jack of Diamonds out of Cult Following (Cult Hero). This attractively bred filly, by the sire of the WEG-bound event horse Rioghan Rua, is out of a half-sister to the American-ridden event horse Courage Under Fire (CCI4*).
Lot 470 Unnamed, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by The Echo Factor out of Ardress (Luidam). Sire is a full-brother to the Grand Prix and Nations Cup horse Echo Beach, while the dam is a half-sister to Douglas Hill (1.60m) and to Bally Bur Don Clover (1.50m). Also from the maternal family of Oblivion (1.50m) and Caranagh (1.50m).
Lot 544 Parkmore Le Vie, reg 3yo b f 163 cms by Robin de la Maison out of Parkmore Evita (Ghareeb). This filly could appeal to the show and the performance producers alike. As a foal she won at RDS, and also took the All Ireland filly foal championship the same year. Her dam was a champion broodmare at both the RDS and Balmoral, and is a half-sister to the show jumper Parkmore Lux (1.60m).
GELDINGS
Lot 439 King Koozie, reg 3yo b g 16.1hh by Kings Master out of Scally Print (Blueprint). This gelding qualified for the 2018 Young Irelander in Millstreet, progressing through to the final 20. He is described as having a lovely temperament and likely to make a top-class event horse.
Lot 460 Unnamed, reg 3yo gr g 17hh by Dallas VDL out of Ducarel Clover (Harlequin du Carel). From a current and proven pedigree, this home-bred gelding is a half-brother to the four-year-old show jumper Inisfear (Zirocco Blue) who qualified for the RDS on his first attempt this year. Another sibling qualified for the RDS eventing equivalent, while the dam is a half-sister to the Ukraine-based show jumper Coolys AJ (1.40m).
Lot 499 Vario reg 3yo gr c 17hh by E Star out of Solitaire Lady (Cruising). Carrying a commercial cross of traditional and continental bloodlines and from a well-known family, the dam of this colt is a full-sister to many international horses. Among them are Cruise on Clover (1.60m), Golden Exchange (1.55m) and Atomic Mouse (1.50m), while half-siblings include Hybernia (1.45m) and Ventura Cowboy (1.45m). The dam is also a full-sister to the broodmare Cruise Leaf who bred Ballypatrick Flamenco and Glimmering competing at 1.45m level.
TUESDAY
FILLIES
Lot 557 Unnamed, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by OBOS Quality out of Moyglass Bay (Diamond Lad). Bred to perform, this filly is a half-sister to Master Daragh (1.50m) and to Paddys Cross, dam of Law in LA (1.40m).
Lot 564 Lisdeen Trend, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by Future Trend out of Carnival Cavalier (Cavalier Royale). This well-related filly is a half-brother to Quick Dollar (1.60m) and to the intermediate event horse Cavalier Micky Finn (CIC2*). Dam is a full-sister the stallion Cavalier Carnival (1.60m).
Lot 632 JM Agility, reg 3yo ch f 16hh by Quidam Junior out of Litany Cavalier (Cavalier Royale). This filly is half-sister to the Grand Prix mare J Silky (1.40m) and half-sister to Ballyhale Big Time (1.40m). Adding further depth, her dam is a full-sister to Arc Royale, placed at Lanaken, while the grandam is a full-sister to the grade A show jumper Master Of Moments, and also to Slys Girl, dam of the event horse Ashdale Cruise Master (CCI4*).
GELDINGS
Lot 555 Unnamed, reg 3yo br g 168cms by Emperor Augustus out of Park Tango (Kings Master). A qualifier for the potential event horse class at the RDS this year.
Lot 571 JM Flex A Star, reg 3yo ch g by Flex A Bill out of Quality Star (OBOS Quality). This gelding is half-brother to JM Penelope (1.20m). Hailing from a very stout maternal line, his dam is half-sister to the former RDS five-year-old winner Cavalier Starlight, Johns Flight (1.60m) and the event horse Scot Free (CCI2*).
Lot 590 Snowbound, reg 3yo gr g by SIEC Livello out of Moygashel (Sir Shutterfly). One of the standout lots in the catalogue, this gelding is the first foal out of the dam, who is out of the top performer and prolific broodmare Icing. Icing is a half-sister to Golda (1.60m), and is the dam of Derryinver Luxury Cruise (1.50m), Nonstop (1.50m) and the 2014 sale-topper True Grit (1.40m). She has also bred last weekend’s four-year-old Irish Breeders’ Classic victor and the 2017 sale-topper Coachella, as well Derryinver Truffle (1.30m) and Dunaghmore winner CSIYH1* Belgium (1.15m).
Lot 611 Unnamed, reg 3yo gr g 16.2hh by Cornets Stern out of Oldtown Sally (Cruising). By a son of Cornet Obolensky, the dam is a full-sister to Oldtown K.C (1.60m), while the second dam, Oldtown Katie, jumped to 1.50m level,
Lot 679 Talisman, reg 3yo ch g 16.1hh by Nazar out of Kilcoltrim Kitten (Ghareeb). Bred to event, and with a large percentage of thoroughbred blood, this traditionally bred gelding is a half-brother to the up and coming Kilcoltrim Kit Kat (CIC2*). His dam is a half-sister to Silk Thread (1.50m) and the six-year-old event horse Kilcoltrim Jacko. Others from the immediate family include international horses Skylight and Kilcoltrim (CCI4*).
WEDNESDAY
FILLIES
Lot 701 Killossery Kitten, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by Mr Big Cat out of Killossery Kruisette (Cruising). Out of an international grade A dam, this is a very well-related half-sister to the 2016 Lanaken gold medallist Killossery Kaiden, to Killossery Kuidam who competed at Lanaken as a seven-year-old, and Killossery Kosokurae (CSI*). Killossery Kruisette herself is a winner internationally.
Lot 742 Rehy Sunrise, reg 3yo ch f 168cms by Rehy High Society out of Rehy Misty (Big Sink Hope). A half-sister to the much admired Rehy DJ, who under British rider Yasmin Ingham was placed fourth in this year’s European young rider’s event championship. Also, a full-sister to a further three graded performers.
Lot 748 Unnamed, reg 3yo ch f 168cms by Flexible out of Dunhall Treasure (Master Imp). Dam is full-sister to Master Ballinteskin, who was runner-up in the world breeding championships in Lanaken and is competing at Grand Prix level in the USA. Dam is a half-sister to Dunahall Diamond, dam of the Lanaken representative Interpreter. Other progeny include the Grand Prix and grade A horses Kilmichael and Indicator.
GELDINGS
Lot 703 Omard BB, reg 3yo b g 168cms by Beach Ball out of Omard Clover Queen (Clover Hill). The dam Omard Clover Queen qualified for RDS as a six-year-old and aside from this gelding is the dam of the international eventer OBOS O’Reilly (CCI4*) who was placed sixth at Rolex in 2015. She is also dam of the puissance winner Crack Star (1.45m), while adding further depth, the immediate maternal pedigree also includes the show jumper KEC Alligator (1.60m).
Lot 709 Unnamed, reg 3yo ch g 16.2hh by Mermus R out of Rockville Star (Kings Master). Bred on eventing lines, the second dam was a half-sister to Rocklea, dam of the event horse Ballingaown Pizazz (CCI4*) a member of U.S. winning team at the Pan Am Games in 2011, and to the Badminton-placed and WEG representative Shannondale Titan (CCI4*). Other recognisable performers in the pedigree include Atlaskin Jack, SRS Kan Do, Stardust Sadie and Penhills Titanium.
Lot 777 Master Hero, reg 3yo bl g by Querlybet Hero out of Midnight Imp (Master Imp). Master Hero is a half-brother to Pashmina K (1.40m) and Deita de la Bouverie (1.35m), while the dam is a full-sister to the good event horse Millenium Mischief (CIC3*)
Lot 785 unnamed, reg 3yo ch g 16.2hh by Newmarket Venture out of Forever Clover (Sunny Light). By the dual-purpose sire Newmarket Venture, this gelding qualified for the loose performance jumping in the RDS last month.
Lot 798 Ballinaguilkey Mistry Man, reg 3yo b g 168cms by Lux Z out of Cavalier Milly (Ramiro M). A smartly bred gelding whose dam is a half-sister to the Lanaken bronze medallist Ballypatrick Mystique. The dam is also a half-sister to the Grand Prix horses MHS La Scala and MHS Peyton. More immediately, this gelding is a half-brother to the promising six-year-old Ballinaguilkey Drama Queen (1.30m), while a full-sister Ballinaguilkey Deluxe was placed this year in the four-year-old finals in Cavan.