WHILE it was good to see so many of our foreign-based riders involved in some way with this week’s Goresbridge Supreme Sale of Showjumpers, Co Tipperary-based Greg Broderick proved very influential and brought seven horses back to Ballypatrick Stables.
“Overall it was a good sale with good horses making what they were worth,” commented the Olympic rider, who was also present at the Go For Gold Sale of eventers the following evening.
“The quality of horse and production in this country is on the way up and a sale like this provides a fantastic shop window.” Much like racehorse trainer Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, Broderick always praises the efforts of the team behind him – family, owners, riders and stablestaff. However, while the former generally refers to his owners as ‘The Lads’, Broderick would have to allude to ‘The Ladies’ with five of the new Ballypatrick inmates having female owners.
Top-priced of the new quintet is the Lanaken six-year-old champion Killossery Kaiden (Lot 112) for whom Californian rider Adrienne Dixon gave €270,000. KM Sporthorses’ Lux Z gelding, whose dam is the Nations’ Cup performer Killossery Kruisette (by Cruising), was bred in north Co Dublin by Frank and Laura Glynn.
BRIGHT FUTURE
“Adrienne, who has three other horses with me at Ballypatrick, went to Lanaken to see this fellow. I think they will have a very bright future together,” commented Broderick.
Dixon also signed the €130,000 chit for J’Adore Flamenco (Lot 119), who Broderick consigned to the sale in partnership with Billy Twomey.
By Je T’Aime Flamenco out of a Corofino mare, this grey gelding, who represented the 2012 crop in the sale, won the British four-year-old Championship at Scope and age finals at Arena UK and Northcote.
“This fellow has all the makings of a Grand Prix horse,” said Broderick. “He has to figure out his technique a bit more but has a good conscience. We had him at home for four days so Adrienne had plenty of time to check him out.”
Another Californian, Molly Tracy purchased the first of the three-year-olds, Jason Higgins’ I’m Special LVS Z (Lot 120), for €64,000, the dark I’m Special de Muze bay being bought for Tracy’s daughter Veronica, who too is based at Ballypatrick.
“There was a lot to like about this fellow,” said Broderick of the gelding who hails from the family of Zitaco M and A Dollar M and came on the market at €40,000. “I’ve had several dealings in the past with Jason and he has been lucky for me.”
The Tracys also had the final say at €42,000 when buying Shane Hanley’s CSF Sir George (Lot 126), a Sir Shutterfly half-brother to Sera Vue (by Harlequin du Carel) and CSF Mr Kroon (by Kroongraaf) among others.
“This fellow looked very good over a fence and seems very, very talented,” stated Broderick.
Also now stabled at Ballypatrick, having been purchased for €36,000 by Lee Kruger on behalf of one of her Canadian friends, is the Kannan filly Lisdeen Lady (Lot 124) who was consigned to the sale by Patrick Talty, one of the bay’s Co Clare breeders. Out of a Ramiro Z half-sister to Andante Z and Armani van Overis Z, the filly will be produced in Ireland for age classes next year.
Broderick’s father Austin went to €40,000 to buy Donal Barnwell’s Billy Anchor (Lot 110), who was competed here and abroad by Edward Doyle. The seven-year-old is by Billy Mexico out of the Billy Congo mare Billy Butter.
“Dad bought this fellow who is a nice type. This horse must have been the best value of the sale as Dad always looks for a bargain.” A statement not disputed by Broderick senior!