MOVING into the halfway stage in the sales calendar, Goresbridge stages a well-supported renewal next week. The catalogue delivers a healthy increase in numbers from last year’s equivalent fixture which now runs over three full days.
Among the selection are a number of horses with competition form, as well as a strong collection of youngstock with potential. With nearly 100 three-year-olds on offer, pinhookers will be out in force, while the pundits will be impressed at the quantity of smart pedigrees among them. Well-related mares and proven hunters also stand out in the older sectors, as do a varied assortment of ponies.
Heading the numerical list of sires with nine progeny on offer is the ever popular OBOS Quality, while the thoroughbred Watermill Swatch is next in line with seven. Other well supported sires with five representatives apiece are Ars Vivendi, Clover Brigade, Cobra, Future Trend, Harlequin du Carel, Loughehoe Guy and Royal Storm.
PONIES
Lot 15 Rathcline Kestrel, reg 6yo dn g 148cms by Gwennic de Goariva out of Rosemount Lass (Glendine Kestrel). One of several Connemaras to feature, this pony is classified Class 1 and is a former champion in the show ring. Fully warranted and very versatile, he has competed in ridden, working and side saddle classes, as well as dressage and show jumping.
Lot 34 Bonni, reg 12yo ro m 135cms. This fully warranted schoolmaster is the winner of 119 SJI points. She has qualified for the Robbie Bailey national finals on three occasions, and is genuine in every way.
Lot 37 Ballyowen Isabelle, reg 10yo br m 14.2hh by Monaghanstown Fionn out of Ballyowen Bonny Bell (Ballyowen Sarabelle). Another carrying the all-important warranty, this Connemara Pony has successfully evented under EI rules. She has won and been placed on all occasions, and has hunted for the past five seasons.
Lot 44 Irishtown Byren, reg 6yo gr g 14hh by High Peak out of Irishtown Diamond (Kilmore Diamond). Quiet in all respects, this smart Connemara was placed third at the RDS last year, and was placed overall novice Connemara champion at the IPS awards last year.
COMPETITION HORSES
Lot 63 FSS Alter Ego, reg 5yo b g 16.3hh by Lux Z out of Brookpark Galaxy (Coolcorran Cool Diamond). This promising gelding is the winner of eight SJI points to date. He is currently competing in classes up to 1.10m level, and has schooled across country. Well-related, the dam show jumped (1.20m) and has bred the British-based intermediate event horse FSS Whizz Kid.
Lot 64 Shannondale Calvin, reg 6yo b g 16.2hh by Shannondale Sarco (not as in catalogue) out of Shannondale Maria (Lux Z). Exceptionally well-related, this gelding is a full-brother to William Fox-Pitt’s exciting intermediate horse Shannondale Percy. Another full-sibling is Shannondale Nadia, who was reserve Burghley Young Event Horse champion last year, and the up and coming Shannondale Mari. He is riding well and ready to progress.
Lot 69, Creevyquin Caiomhe, reg 6yo b m 16.1hh by Emilion out of Ballintogher Evidence (Cavalier Royale). Attractively bred and with a solid performance record, this mare competed in her age classes last year. She was placed joint-first at Barnadown, gained a top-10 placing in Millstreet and has accumulated 21 SJI points.
Lot 93 Corballa Touch, reg 8yo b m 167cms by Grand Touch out of Sligo Dark Lady (damsire not recorded). Carrying a very clean SJI record, together with 69 SJI points, Corballa Touch has competed to 1.20m level. Fully warranted, she is a very good mover, and is also thought likely to make an event horse.
Lot 94 MHS Clare Boy, reg 5yo b g 16.3hh by Watermill Swatch out of Royal,Charter (Cavalier Royale). This smart gelding qualified for the Burghley Young Event horse championships in England last year. He is a sibling to numerous graded show jumpers, including the 1.60m show jumper Coral Springs (ridden by Manjun Kwon) and the top jumping pony MHS Kilkenny All Star.
Lot 125 Mind Reader, reg 5yo ch g 16.2hh by Clover Flush out of Knockdoomney Cruise (Bahrain Cruise). A very versatile performer, Mind Reader is the winner of ridden and working hunter classes. Fully warranted, he has clocked up 10 SJI points. He also took part in the Stepping Stones league, and has hunted with the Killinick Harriers.
Lot 139 Blackstairs Glen, reg 8yo b g 16.2hh by Kings Master out of Glen Tristan Lady (Don Tristan). Traditionally bred, this fully warranted gelding has a very clean show jumping record, and is the winner of 121 SJI points.
Lot 191 reg 6yo br g by Kings Master out of Ballycreen Anouschka (Orbis). Hailing from a successful and versatile family, this gelding is a full-brother to the advanced three-star event horse Ballycreen Milord, and also the top show horse Ballycreen His Lordship. Fully warranted, he has hunted with the Killinick hounds on many occasions, and thought likely to make a top-class event horse.
Lot 208, Gloutane Dawn, reg 5yo br m 16.2hh by Orestus out of Cavalier Keely (Cavalier Royale). The winner of 18 SJI points to date, this mare is a sibling to the British-based event horse Gloutane Lord Lincoln.
HUNTERS AND
ALL-ROUNDERS
Lot 108 Coolpark Holly, reg 6yo pbd g 15.2hh. An ideal hunting conveyance for a smaller rider, this warranted gelding has followed the North Kildare Farmers, the Kildare Hunt Club and the Westmeath Foxhounds. In the spring, he competed in the hunter performance class at Punchestown producing a clear round over a testing track.
Lot 144 Gippy, reg 8yo b m 16.2hh by Lakeshore Road out of Mullinbeg Queen (Parkmore Night). This fully warranted hunter has followed and whipped-in for the Kilmoganny foxhounds for three seasons. She has also won and been placed in hunter trials.
WELL-RELATED MARES
Lot 119 Calluna Gilly, reg 8yo br m 15.3hh by Ars Vivendi out of Bonmahon Pearl (Temple Clover). A easy, good-moving mare, Calluna Gilly is a half-sister to Bonmahon Skipper (AKA Stargate), who competed to 1.60m, and to two further graded performers.
Lot 215 Cavalier Vendi, reg 6yo b m 16.2hh by Ars Vivendi out of Cavalier Iris (Cavalier Royale). Carrying a very smart and versatile pedigree, this mare is a half-sibling to the Britsh-based show jumper Ardenteggle Poltarf (1.50m) ridden by Matthew Clayton. Also to the promising event horse Cavalier Crystal, a former winner of the Burghley Young Event Horse championship and currently eventing to two-star level under Harry Meade. Adding depth, the dam is a full-sister to the four-star event horse Another Cavalier and to Positively Cavalier (1.30m).
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS
Lot 307 Fuerty Vendi, reg 4yo b g 16.2hh by Ars Vivendi out of Chateaunique (Carismo). Bred to perform, this youngster is currently competing in training shows. His dam jumped to win 60 SJI points, and has bred Fuerty Captain Carismo (63 SJI points) and the Italian-based RLE Fuerty Carismo (1.40m).
Lot 308 Dinin Bamiro, reg 4yo b f by Ramiro B out of You Can Do (Hallodri). Another well-related lot, this filly is the winner of 3 SJI points to date. By the very commercial Ramiro B, she is a half-sister to the advanced event horse Dinin Valier.
Lot 310 Killaloe Quality Lad, reg 4yo gr g by OBOS Quality out of Killaloe Lady Grey (Cruising). Attractively bred, this gelding competed on the Millstreet Welcome Tour this spring. He is brave across country and thought to have the ability to progress much further.
Lot 314 GSA Dunmanway, reg 4yo ch g 16.3hh by KEC Maximum Joe out of Flight of Earls Jana (Clover Hill). Carrying Clover Hill as the dam’s sire, this gelding has already racked up 10 SJI points. A good mover, he could excel in either sphere.
Lot 353 Killaloe Lance, reg 4yo ch g 16.2hh by Lancelot out of Killaloe Duchess (Ard VDL Douglas). This gelding performed a double clear round in the RDS age qualifier at Barnadown recently. Highly rated, he is thought to have the makings of a smart show jumper.
Lot 363 Diamond Graaf Ariya, reg 4yo gr f 16.1hh by Diamond Graaf out of Miss T Cavalier (unrecorded). This filly has competed successfully in the Stepping Stones To Success league and is currently show jumping at 90cms to 1m level.
Lot 380 Glensensaw Sweet Beau, reg 4yo bk g 16.1hh by Uskerty Sweet Lad out of Glensensaw Bonnie Princess (Bonnie Prince). A full-brother to the promising British-based event mare Glensensaw Sweet Girl (Gemma Tattersall).
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
Lot 414, reg 3yo ch g 16hh by Harlequin du Carel out of Lucky Crest (Lucky Gift). Very well-related, this gelding is a half-brother to the three-star event horses With Love and Triple Point.
Lot 425, reg 3yo ch g by Zirocco Blue VDL out of Ducarel Clover (Harlequin du Carel). This gelding counts the RDS four-year-old qualifier and event horse Darkbeforedawn as a half-brother, and also a five-year-old currently jumping in Holland.
Lot 442, reg 3yo bl f by Dignifield Van’t Zorgvliet out of Frankfort Billies Lady (Billies Bank). This filly is a half sibling to RLE Frankfort Ronnie, a promising event horse who competed on the sunshine tour earlier this year and who is currently eventing in Ireland.
Lot 447, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by Puissance out of Mockingbird (Cavalier Royale). A half-sister to the CCI3* event horse Douglas, a former CIC3* winner at Ballindenisk, and also to three other graded show jumpers.
MICHAEL DONOHOE & SONS
Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.
Telephone: 059 9775145 Fax: 059 9775541
Email: goresbridgesales@tinet.ie
Web: www.irishhorse.com
Date: July 10th – 12th
Time: 11am Monday: Ponies (53) and Older Horses
11am Tuesday: Older Horses and Four-year-olds (40)
11am Wednesday: Four-year-olds (62) and three-year-olds (88)
Total lots: 483
Last year’s top lot: Gabriel Slattery’s Castletown Don, five-year-old gelding by Peter Pan €10,500