THE opening two days at Goresbridge produced some bouts of lively trade, and peaked on Thursday afternoon when a son of Pacino headed the returns at a healthy €16,000 (€13,500 in 2016). His sale highlighted the strong demand for production and quality, which overall was patchy and in short supply.
Regardless of the marked reduction in the sterling rate, British buyers were strong customers throughout. These early figures illustrated that 66% on offer changed hands (64% in 2016) coupled with an average of €3,585 (€3,542).
The returns were very similar to those of 12 months ago, and despite the smaller catalogue, 31 lots realised in excess of €5,000 (36 in 2016), while a further 23 (28 last year) sold for between €4,000-€5,000.
“I’m happy enough,” said Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge. “The clearance has held up well, and it was good to see a few big prices. It proves the point once again, that there are plenty of buyers for those that perform. It was also nice to see a few more customers from mainland Europe, and see them buying away.”
Jim Bourke’s sale-topping five-year-old (Lot 334) had already become the ‘talking horse’ after jumping impressively under Gemma Phelan. Demonstrating a seemingly endless amount of scope and a temperament to match, the gelding came on the market at €12,000.
From thereon, bids bounced between Co Waterford show jumping owner Jim Roberts and producer Jason Higgins, with the hammer finally falling in favour of the latter at €16,000. Higgins, who now features prominently in the spheres sale, said: “I bought him for myself. He’s a lovely big horse with a nice pedigree – and I trust the people selling him.”
Although the home-bred gelding is a five-year-old, he is relatively unexposed and only arrived in Phelan’s yard four weeks prior to sale. Attractively bred, he was the first foal out of Cappanaleigh Rose, who is a half-sister to the British-based intermediate event horse Cooley Foundation. “He is green, but shows a massive amount of power,” Phelan said afterwards.
The best returns remained in the Deise as Rachel Meaney’s five-year-old Valexo (Lot 324) realised a healthy €10,000. The son of Ars Vivendi was bred by Rachel’s grandfather P.J. Kearns and, having been well produced, was another to impress.
Martin Curran was in the saddle to showcase this smart performer, who was knocked down to English buyer Jo Bowen on behalf of event rider Janet Clarke. “Janet is away on holiday, so couldn’t come to the sale,” Staffordshire based Bowen explained.
“She has two event horses by the same sire, and so when I saw this one, I telephoned her. She was then able to track down a video of him online, and told me to kick on a try to buy him.”
This was a good result for Meaney, who is only just returning to riding after breaking her heel and ankle nearly 12 months ago.
TRADITIONALLY BRED
While the two top-priced lots were bred on continental lines, the next three were firmly traditional. Spearheading a very stout hunter market and selling at €9,000 was Con O’Brien’s good looking five-year-old by Berkely Cruise.
The last horse to be bred by his Bandon-based owner, the gelding had been hunting with the South Union hounds, and produced in recent weeks by Co Limerick rider D.J. O’Sullivan.
Another competitive duel developed for this classy grey, who was eventually knocked down to Kylemore Stud’s Olive Broderick. Better known in stallion and breeding circles, Broderick also finds time to hunt during the close season, and is a master of the East Galway hounds.
“I have just sold my last hunter to America and this will be his replacement,” Broderick explained. “I liked his real Irish breeding, and thought he had plenty of scope.”
Demand for proven hunters was a constant, and also selling well at €7,600 was Richard Murphy’s imposing seven-year-old by Sunrich (Lot 319). Standing in excess of 17hh, the grey had followed the Bray Harriers for two seasons, and had also competed in training shows.
This one is now destined to hunt with the Banwen Miners and the Llandeilo Farmers in Wales with new purchaser Graham Smith. Another traditional enthusiast, Smith said: “I was looking for a good, up-to-weight Irish horse with no foreign blood, and they are increasingly hard to find.”
Smith was one of several UK buyers to comment on the weak sterling, and while all were still prepared to purchase, they felt that the prices overall had slipped accordingly. “I can’t go as far as I would have usually done, but there’s not a lot you can do about it,” remarked major hunting dealer Andrew Caldwell, while event buyer Tuffy Tilly added: “You’re aware of it as you have a budget, so in the end you finish up paying less.”
While the opening day delivered the better clearance (71%) there were fewer notable prices. The quality was extremely mixed, but standing out to head the day’s trading at €7,600 was John Morris’s Moylough Prince (Lot 116), a full Irish Draught by Ard Grandpa (dam by Grange Bouncer).
The five-year-old had been well produced by Gabriel Slattery, and with two seasons hunting under his belt attracted a winning bid from dealer Jim Derwin. This eye catcher has hunted with the North Galway’s and the Galway Blazer’s.
The second day was notable for the number of withdrawals, which in these days of internet selling is probably a growing trend. Nearly a third of those catalogued failed to show, but among those who were especially glad to fulfil their commitments was Charlie Carter, whose home-bred mare (Lot 310) by Ars Vivendi sold well at €6,700.
The smartly related five-year-old counts the American based Grand Prix show jumper Ballyquirke Tipp Topp (1.60m) as a half-brother, as well as the advanced event horse Dartans Quality Brigade (CIC3*). German buyer Jorn Hohler was on hand to sign for this mare who will now follow a show jumping career.
Selling for €100 less was Sarah Freeman’s well campaigned Ashville Coral (Lot 367), a seven-year-old with hunting and eventing form. The smart sort was placed sixth in the RDS young event horse finals two years ago and he will continue eventing with new buyer Michelle Dulohery.
“I had seen him on a video, and came especially to buy him,” Dulohery said. “The aim is to hopefully move up to one-star next season.”
A solid trade for ponies on Wednesday delivered a healthy 68% clearance together with a top price of €4,400. This fell to Rachel Meaney’s highly rated Brock Lodge Ben (Lot 34), a full Connemara with hunting and competition form.
The son of Brock Lodge Buster (dam by Arrow Javelin) was a proper event sort, and looked very well when bought by leading pony and working hunter producer Ann Lyons.
Con O'Brien's gelding by Berkley Cruise made €9,000 (Photo: Sally Parkyn)
TOP LOTS
Marion Fitzgerald’s 5yo gelding by Pacino (dam by Verdi) €16,000.
Rachel Meaney’s 5yo gelding by Ars Vivendi (dam by Collado) €10,000.
Con O’Brien’s 5yo gelding by Berkley Cruise (dam by Bassompiere) €9,000
Richard Murphy’s 7yo gelding by Sunrich. €7,600
John Morris’s 5yo gelding by Ard Grandpa (dam by Grange Bouncer) €7,600