DEMAND for the serious competition prospect appeared to be insatiable at Goresbridge last week, where for the third successive year, the renewal produced some sparkling returns. Indeed, the temperature inside the sale ring was decidedly hotter than outside and, rising as the sale progressed, the action peaked to deliver a top price of €13,500.

This was accompanied by a good clearance rate of 71% (73% in 2017) and an improved average of €3,600 (€3,400). It was even more encouraging to note, that despite a notably smaller catalogue, a healthy 29 lots realised in excess of €5,000 (24 in 2017).

Taking place just before the equestrian calendar becomes crowded, this March fixture is becoming more influential each year, the two-day sale attracted buyers from America, as well as mainland Europe and the UK, and while trade was at its strongest for the potentially top-drawer horse, it remained solid enough throughout.

Reflecting, Goresbridge auctioneer Martin Donohoe commented: “I think people think differently at the start of the year. It has been a long, hard winter, but now spring is around the corner and everyone is keen to get going.

“Overall, the figures speak for themselves. It was very encouraging to see the average up again, which bodes well for the future and is good for everyone.”

The other significant factor was the improved quality of the stock. This led to a string of healthy prices, which were headed by Pat Hurley’s Willbrook Snip (171) at €13,500. The home-bred five-year-old ticked every box for the event producers and, as a result, his sale developed into a spirited two-way duel between successful buyer Jason Higgins and English owner Margaret Fennell. The latter, who is represented in competition by four-star rider Louise Skelton, set out with intent, but couldn’t match the determination of the Co Wexford producer.

“He’s a very nice horse and I’ve produced him myself. I’m delighted with my price – it’s been a long time coming!”

“There was a lot to like,” said Higgins afterwards. “He’s from a good family, but most of all I thought he was really well balanced, with a great walk and canter. I’ve bought him in partnership with Brian Flynn, so we’ll see how we go, but the Go For Gold Sale could be the aim in November.”

The interestingly bred gelding is by the little used traditional sport horse sire Galatan out of the mare Willbrook Diamond Poppy (unrecorded). He was one of only three registered foals in 2013 by the sire, who is a son of the thoroughbred Powhatan out of Kilcoher Lass (Moyrath Jet).

“I actually used the sire because I wanted to get a filly to breed from,” explained the Corafin vendor. “He’s a very nice horse and I’ve produced him myself. I’m delighted with my price – it’s been a long time coming!”

Also changing hands for five figures on day two was Michael Heery’s Cordeban (229) an imported gelding by Cordess (Clinton) out of the thoroughbred mare Romy by Esteban. Professionally produced by DJ O’Sullivan, he was the subject of another protracted battle which saw event horse buyer Andrew Williams (GHF Equestrian) eventually get the better of America’s equivalent Don Devine.

Signing the docket at €12,000, Williams commented, “I just loved everything about him. His model, his movement and his jump.”

The gelding will now head to the Monmouth yard of Vicky Tuffs, from where he will be aimed at the Burghley Young Event Horses series in England this summer.

The eventing fraternity remained the dominant force, when Mel Jones signed for Thomas Rogers’ traditionally bred Kilrodan Gigolo (123) at Tuesday’s best price of €8,800. Jones was acting on behalf of former Olympian Rodney Powell, who remarked afterwards, “I especially liked his brain and attitude and thought for a five-year-old he was extremely calm.”

Sourced at the same venue, and bred by John Craig, the son of Boherdeal Clover is out of Kilrodan Special O (Rich Rebel) and is a full-sibling to the two-star event horse Kilrodan Queen B (ridden by Fergal Nesbit and Cathal Daniels).

OLDER HORSES

The show jumpers made their presence felt when owner John Greaves paid €8,700 for Marily Power’s impressive home-bred Sumas Kapacino (45) by Pacino. Well related, the upstanding gelding is one of the last crop from the Nations Cup sire and is out of a half-sister to the top show jumpers Killossery, Killossery Kruisette and several others.

Well showcased by Gemma Phelan, who had stepped in to ride as the gelding’s producer Donnacha Dermody was away in America, Kapacino delivered one of the best performances of the day. Power had hoped to make more but was heartened to learn that the gelding will now be campaigned by top British international Holly Gillot (Smith).

Taking a quick break from the Spanish sunshine tour, Smith was accompanied by her husband Graham and by owner Greaves. The Leicestershire rider has been lucky when following Phelan, and among previous purchases is her big puissance specialist Quality Old Joker.

“He was impressive,” said Greaves. “If he’s good enough, he’s certainly going to the right place.”

Setting ball rolling earlier on Tuesday morning was Patricia Flynn’s CLH Dynamic (88) a seven-year-old by Womanizer out of Luxally (Lux Z).

Beautifully produced by Gerry Flynn, the gelding had clocked up some 28 SJI points, and had been in the same ownership since a foal. He was only sold to make way for younger stock and, at €8,200 looked well bought by event horse customer Don Devine. The American, who is based jointly between Maine and Ocala, is a regular visitor to the venue, and was especially pleased with his purchase.

“He is exceptional,” he declared. “He has the potential to make a high-level horse, and I’m hoping that he will do so.”

Such was the strength of the private sector, many dealers struggled to fill their order books.

Of those who did, Sport Horses UK did well to secure Daphne Tierney’s well campaigned show horse Bloomfield Badger (46) for €8,000. A son of Puissance (dam by Oklund), he headed the four-year-old hunters at both Balmoral and the RDS last year and is now set for a career as a working hunter in England.

Cheshire dealer Andrew Callwood was also active, paying €8,000 for Paul Brown’s seven-year-old Global Lux Clover (136) by Lux Z. Consigned from the Co Waterford yard of MBF Sport Horses, and evented in Ireland under Christopher Hunt, the gelding is now heading for the hunting field and the working hunter ranks.

An unusually quiet Jim Derwin signed for just two lots, one of which, at €6,800, was Thomas Butler’s seven-year-old (87) by Tinaranas Inspector (dam by Flagmount King). Sourced from the same venue four years ago, and since well-hunted with the Tipperary foxhounds, he looked to be a good prospect for next season.

Rounding up the notables, Samantha Heaney’s well campaigned Lady Mumbai (190) was snapped up by Shropshire’s Annabel Chester for €6,500.

The nine-year-old RID mare by Creggan Emperor (Supreme Ginger) had clocked up 81 SJI points and had headed the amateur derby at Cavan in 2016. She had also successfully evented under EI rules and placed runner up in the ID performance class at the RDS last year.

Overall the age group delivered some solid results, leading to a two-day clearance rate of 71% and an average of €3,818.

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

Trade for the younger age sector held up well, to deliver the sale’s best clearance of 79% together with an average of €3,831.

Top price aside, Ronan Rothwell’s well-produced Boleybawn Captain (208) caught the eye, and at €7,200 was knocked down to Devon customer Ann Verden-Jones. One of the venue’s longest standing patrons, Verden-Jones will produce the son of Cabriole further before selling on. Others to impress included John Larkin’s Corgary Class (247) by Camillo VDL at €5,600 and Kiltubrid Quality (231) by OBOS Quality out of Kiltubrid Jewel (Shannondale Sarco) at €5,000.

Mel Jones made the winning bid for the latter who is likely to be campaigned further by British Olympic event rider Sharon Hunt.

A few lots later, Michael Murphy’s well produced gelding (242) by Olden Times (dam by Tasset) realised the same figure, just before Stephen Raynes paid €4,600 for an athletic filly (245) by Chinoock Eclipse.

PONIES

Some 29 ponies came forward to commence the sale, from which 17 changed hands. Oisin Kelly’s experienced hunting pony Starsky (3) opened the day on a good note when selling to trader Niall Daly for €3,200, while at €4,000, the sale-topping honours fell to John O’Hanlon’s Blue (31).

Better known in racing circles as ‘Shark’ O’Hanlon, the local trainer had recently acquired the pony, who boasts a prolific show jumping record in England. He was produced for sale by Paddy Cleary and secured by an Irish cash buyer.

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