THE buzz was certainly back and there were plenty of international buyers at Mullingar Equestrian Horse & Pony Sales last Sunday including a strong representation of patrons from Sweden, the UK and France, with the one-day fixture returning a high clearance rate of impressive 81%.

The top price of the day, €10,000, was paid by a cash buyer for the 128cm Grade A skewbald gelding Derravaragh Two Tone (Lot 1) with 267 SJI points up, sold by S. Murphy. The same vendor also sold Derravaragh Blue Stone (Lot 2), a 128cm Grade A with 275 SJI points for €4,000 to Athlone horse dealer Jim Derwin who remarked: “I will give him to my son James to ride throughout the summer.”

Sale-topping pony: A cash buyer paid €10,000 for this top lot at Mullingar Sales, Derravaragh Two Tone, from vendor S. Murphy \ Ruth Rogers

Derwin also paid €7,800 for Creaghduff Charalotte, a quality 128 black Grade A 10-year-old mare with 298 SJI points (Lot 4C ), sold by C. Sloan.

There was considerable interest in the 10-year-old Class 1 dun Connemara mare Cavern Hill Anney (Caherlistrane Prince – Star of Loughfadda by Monaghanstown Fred) (Lot 25) and after brisk bidding, she was knocked down to Pat McCormack from Ballinderry, Mullingar. The former owner of the European Champion Ballyowen Maybell Molly, he said: “I bought her for my granddaughter Rebecca Cole to ride and we are so happy to get this breed again to go jumping, she already has 64 SJI points.”

Buyer Trade Horse Ltd secured five lots including the attractive seven-year-old grey mare Granite Annie (Lot 20) sold by N. Flannelly for €3,200. They also paid €3,100 for M. Mulligan’s black five-year-old mare Claregalway Girl (Lot 44).

Jim Derwin went to €4,800 for the well balanced three-year-old bay 16.3hh gelding Queens Choice (Cara Touche - Kilmessan Queen) (Lot 36) who is just backed and ready to be brought on further.

There was a good trade for hunters with vendor S. McLoughlan selling the grey six-year-old all round mare Moyne Lass (Lot 15) for €3,800 on the bid of Sweden’s Ann Christine Norin and Leo Koskinen. They also paid €3,600 for Lot 16, the grey gelding Bohey Prince ( Monaghanstown Boy-Bohey Averil), sold by B. Lennon.

The couple said: “We were so impressed with the Connemara temperament, we are delighted with our purchases and the excellent facilities offered at Mullingar. We also keep in touch by reading The Irish Field online.”

New owners: Sweden's Ann Christine Norin and Leo Foskinen at Mullingar Sales with their purchased Lot 16 Bohey Prince for €3,600 \ Ruth Rogers

Felix Burke from Sligo certainly filled his bucket list with nine purchases which included Mountcaulfield Jackpot (Lot 24), a seven-year-old 148cm gelding who looked a bargain at €1,800. Burke also paid €2,100 for D. Harrison’s eight-year-old Newgrange Bobby by Wings of Justice (Lot 28).

UK buyer K. McNally paid €2,800 for a grey three-year-old gelding Financial Resurgence (Financial Reward-Ruby Cross) (Lot 32) sold by S O’Halloran. The same buyer also paid €2,200 for A. Dooner’s three-year-old Kilcommock Star (Grandpas Diamond-Dock of the Bay) (Lot 34).

A nice addition on the day was the presentation of special rosettes by Jennifier Haverty, chairperson of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders’ Association, to vendor Shane O’Brien, the owner of the highest priced Irish Draught at the sales (Lot 41). The grey mare Cappa Pearl (Millhollow Stroller-Cappa Annastasia) sold for €3,000 to Jim Derwin, his son James accepted the buyer’s rosette.

The next sales at Mullingar Equestrian are on Tuesday, September 3rd, the Traditional Irish Horse Association’s sixth annual Hunter Show & Go.