TWELVE months ago, Goresbridge staged a buoyant renewal that was cited as being one of the best in recent years. Hoping to match that achievement at next week’s sale, the Co Kilkenny auction house has produced a similarly strong catalogue, which once again covers two days rather than the traditional three.
Proven performers from all disciplines are among the attractive entry, with older stock appearing particularly appealing. Following on, a number of smartly related four-year-olds fill the action on Wednesday afternoon, while an early season entry of three-year-olds will bring the sale to a close.
The stallion list is spearheaded by the more commercial sires, with OBOS Quality clearly heading the pack with 11 entries on offer. Ars Vivendi is also prominent with five lots forward while also influential are Castlecomer Q, Lancelot and the thoroughbred sires Financial Reward and Watermill Swatch.
PONIES
Lot 3 The Common Man, reg 4yo gr g 147cms by Fionas Man out of Roscommon Lady (Ardkeehon Girl). This attractive young Connemara gelding reached the finals of the loose jumping at Millstreet last year. Currently competing in training shows, he looks to have the makings of an ideal all-rounder.
Lot 13 Templeorum Magic, reg 4yo dn g 148cms by Shadow’s Dun out of Cachimba. Described as a real event type, this fully warranted youngster combines a scopey jump with good movement. He has a good attitude and is ready to produce further.
Lot 16, reg 5yo gr g 148cms by Krafty Clover. Another with a promising future, this young pony is a full-brother to the international pony show jumper Krafty Cat. He has competed at training shows and has hunted with the Kill Harriers for one season.
Lot 17 BP Bounce, reg 6yo dn mare 148cms. The winner of 36 SJI points to date, this show jumping pony is eligible for the 2017 Star Finder series. Thought to have the potential to compete at 1.30m level, she also hunted with the Carlow Farmers for two seasons.
Lot 27 Arden Silver Shadow, reg 6yo gr g 148cms by Dunloughan Scot out of Island Moonlight (by Ben Gawher). One from the ever popular Connemara ranks, this useful sort has successfully competed at training shows, has evented and been shown in both working and show hunter classes.
COMPETITION HORSES
Lot 34 Winterdown Braxton, reg 8yo b g 16.2hh by Lux Z out of Coorevan Royale (Cavalier Royale). A potentially top-class amateur or young rider horse, this gelding is the winner of 25 SJI points to date. Fully warranted, he has been placed in classes up to 1.20m level, and rides extremely well on the flat.
Lot 35 TJM Country Quality, reg 7yo b g 16.2hh by OBOS Quality out of Tell The Country (Good Thyne). Attractively bred, this high-class gelding won the Irish Breeders Classic finals as a four-year-old, and has since racked up 47 SJI points. He is currently competing in classes up to 1.20m level, and has also been schooled across country.
Lot 43 Bun Brook, reg 12yo b g 16.2hh by Mohill Cavalier Clover out of Ballinamore Diamond (Diamond Lad). A top-class schoolmaster, the show jumper Bun Brook has competed up to 1.40m level to win 235 SJI points. A straightforward ride, he has recently been placed in a 1.30m class under a 16-year-old junior, and thought ideal to introduce a young rider to bigger tracks.
Lot 75 Millstreet Coral Cove, reg 7yo b g 170cms by Carlo Bank out of Millstreet Coral (Oscar Schindler). Well related, this event-bred gelding is out of a full-sister to the former British European squad and CCI**** event horse Coral Cove. Quietly produced, he has been lightly campaigned and is a frequent follower of the Killinick Harriers.
Lot 90 Enchanting Class, reg 7yo ch m 16hh by Iroko out of Woodview Douglas Cruise (Ard VDL Douglas). Carefully produced with her future in mind, this well-related mare is quiet in all respects. Her grandam Seoladh jumped to 1.40 level, and is a sibling to Campbell, who jumped 1.30 level in Switzerland, and also the event horses Luxury Design, Lisnamult Imp and Galtee Diamond in Ireland.
Lot 123 KEC Dazzling Diamond, reg 7yo b m 168cms by Aldatus Z out of Glidawn Delight (Glidawn Diamond). A full-sister to the top Irish and British champion show hunter Bloomfield Tetrarch, this mare has accrued 23 SJI points to date. Fully warranted, she has great technique and is showing good potential.
Lot 206 Shanaclough Carol, reg 6yo b m 16.2hh by Catcher Babinski out of Shanaclough Diamond Queen (Coevers Diamond Boy). By a Swedish eventing sire, and counting the CCI**** event horse Shanaclough Crecora as a half-brother, this mare is bred to event. Slowly produced, she has been placed in EI 90 (intro) classes, show jumping and working hunter and is ready to bring on.
Lot 209 Brackenstown Billy, reg 5yo gr g 168cms by Cassino out of Tillula (Cavalier Royale). Fully warranted, this well-bred grey gelding is the winner of 10 SJI points. He qualified for his age final at Cavan last year, and is currently competing at 1.20m level. He has also hunted with South Armagh Foxhounds on several occasions, and is thought to be a top prospect for the HSI classes this summer.
Lot 211 Be My Master, reg 6yo b g 16.2hh by Kings Master out of Be Suir (Anshan). This traditionally bred gelding has been placed third under EI rules (from just two runs) and is the winner of 14 (9 recorded) SJI points.
HUNTERS/
ALL ROUNDERS
Lot 42 Jazz, reg 9yo b g 16.1hh by Crannagh Hero out of Kariega (Easy Lift). One of a number of very experienced hunters on offer, Jazz has followed the Meath Foxhounds for five seasons. Warranted in all respects, he has also competed in open hunter trials, and is straightforward to hack out.
Lot 54 Poynstown Blue, reg 5yo gr g 16.3hh by Bonmahon Master Blue out of Grantstown Millie (Flagmount King). From a prolific dam’s line, this homebred gelding has hunted with the Woodstown Harriers for two seasons. He has a good attitude and is considered classy and talented enough to excel in any discipline.
Lot 84 Scarthill Rosewood, reg 5yo gr m 16hh by Coolcronan Wood out of Silver Fox (Fast Silver). A traditionally bred full Irish Draught, this versatile mare was placed fifth in the working hunter class at the RDS and is the winner of 10 SJI points. Fully warranted, and with future paddock potential, she is a full-sister to the stallion Kiltealy Silver.
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS
Lot 234 Wenevers Up n Away, reg 4yo b f 16hh by Wenever out of Clover Dame (Clover Hill). A very big winner in-hand, this filly has landed several championships at major shows. Well related, she is a half-sister to the British-based international show jumper Keeford Carousel.
Lot 245 Jockeyhall Clearly Royale, reg 4yo b f 16.1hh by Taloubet Z out of Whitewell Cavalier (Cavalier Royale). By a World Cup-winning show jumping sire, this highly rated filly is a half-brother to Monbeg Warrior, placed second in the Burghley Young event horse finals in 2015. Unbroken, she is looking impressive on the lunge and thought to be a top-class event or show jumping prospect.
Lot 248 Shirsheen Oscar, reg 4yo br g 168cms by Orestus out of Drumsaragh (Standard Bearer). Smartly related, this gelding is a half-brother to the British-based intermediate event horse Lupo, and the show jumper Griffindor.
Lot 250 Ecklands Redino, reg 4yo ch g 158cms by Indus out of Glendine Brigade (Clover Brigade). Dam was a useful showjumper, and has already bred the Canadian ridden international event horse Glencento. A sister to the dam competed at national Grand Prix level.
Lot 251 Lisdara Royalty, reg 4yo b g 17.2hh by Lancelot out of Castle Kaniba (Cavalier Royale). Well related, this gelding hails from the maternal family of the top international show jumper Castlepollard, thrice winner of the Hickstead Speed Derby.
Lot 256, reg 4yo b g 16.2hh by Ars Vivendi out of Carton Free (Cruising). Attractively bred, this youngster is the first foal out of the grade A international show jumping mare Carton Free (1.40m). He is showing a big, scopey jump and the potential to go all the way.
Lot 259, reg b g 16.3hh by Frankfort Boy out of Mexico Lady (Master Imp). From a prolific family, this gelding is out of a full-sister to the CCI*** event horse Master Mexico (Michael Ryan) as well as fellow international performers Mexicana, Act On Impulse and Mexico Boy.
Lot 271 Alf, reg 4yo br g 165cms by Elano out of Carnaval Chit Chat (Carnaval Drum). Carrying top European and Irish bloodlines, this gelding is out of a full-sister to the Olympia World Cup-winning show jumper Carnavelly (Peter Charles). A talented individual, he looks an ideal candidate for the age classes this season.
Lot 285 Cillbhrid Rose, reg 4yo b f 16.2hh by Golden Master out of Mullentine Diamond Queen (Aldatus Z). The second foal out of Mullentine Diamond Queen, who is a full-sister to KEC Jazmine, dam of the grade A showjumper KEC Sofia. She is also a half-sister to the showjumper Ringwood Hot Shot and the Belgian-based showjumper Punjab II.
Lot 306, reg 4yo b g 16hh by Castlecomer Q out of unnamed (Coevers Diamond Boy). A correct modern type of sport horse, this gelding is closely related to the American-based event horse and former Go For Gold graduate Ballinagore Knight.
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
Lot 313 JMHillfield Rebels Reward, reg 3yo b g 16hh by Financial Reward out of Hillfield Rebel Colours (Rebel Mountain). By the RDS Croker Cup-winning thoroughbred sire Financial Reward, this traditionally bred gelding is one of six of his age group catalogued. Bred to event, his dam is a half-sister to Barnview Diamond, dam of Aoife Clark’s CCI*** event horse Wasting Light (Ghareeb).
Lot 318 Ballinglen Strictly, reg 3yo b f 16hh by Financial Reward of Ballinglen Dream (Clovers Return). A half-sister to the American-based event horse and Go For Gold graduate Ballinglen Dreamys Boy (€20,000).