THE new sales year opened at Cavan last week and, following much the same trend as 2014, a pony from the new premier selection topped the figures at an impressive €13,500.

Changing hands privately on Wednesday afternoon, Robert Fagan’s eight-year-old Ryans Son (151) was the stand-out pony in the catalogue and a former holder of the leading Connemara show jumper award.

In the same ownership for four years, and initially produced by Nano Healey, the 148cms campaigner Ryans Son is by Sweetwall Captain Courageous out of Ashbrook Mist (by Earl of Castlefrench). In latter months he was also campaigned by Lisa Gerbola Bushaway, and arrived at the sale carrying a total of 281 SJI points.

In light of this form, he was never going to come cheap and although eventual buyer Josh Kerrigan tried hard to secure him in the ring, he was led out unsold at €9,200.

After the deal was later finalised outside the ring, Kill-based Kerrigan commented: “I have watched him on the circuit for the past year and always liked him. I have bought him myself to produce further, and once I have him home we will evaluate the situation further, and decide on a rider.”

Mullingar Equestrian Centre owner Fagan was equally pleased with the outcome, saying: “Nano is out of ponies now and is an up and coming young rider. I feel this pony has great potential, and I wish Josh the best of luck with him.”

Overall the two-day sale produced a steady clearance rate of 54% (59% in 2014), and while the reduced catalogue illustrated an accompanying deficit in turnover, the average improved (not including the Irish Draughts and young stock) to €2,367 (compared to €2,033 in 2015).

“The top-priced pony looks to be a very good one – and it’s nice to see that happening and encouraging for the future,” summed up Stuart Clarke. “The weather took its effect at the start of the week and knocked off a few intended buyers, but overall I’m optimistic for the year ahead and the few nicer horses sold well.”

Inconsistencies in the remaining trade reflected the quality on offer, but another to stand out at €7,100 was the Kennedy Brother Sporthorses’ attractive five-year-old (235) by Cavalier Land (dam by Coevers Diamond Boy).

Passing through the ring late on Wednesday afternoon, the gelding was well showcased by Katie McDonald before being sold to English-based event producer Millie Earnshaw.

“We bought him from his breeder Peter Rice as a two-year-old,” said Liam Kennedy. “He’s a really lovely little horse who will make a great eventer. Very pleased with our return, and feel that there is a good pick up in the trade for the better horses.”

Although the results from the premier pony selection did not hit the heights of the November returns, the 2014 sale topping consigner Greg Yorke enjoyed another good sale when his Forest View Grey Fox (152) realised €6,000.

Produced and ridden by Yorke’s daughter Rebecca, Grey Fox had been resident with the Longford family for over three years, in which time he had clocked up 162 SJI points in classes up to 1.20m level.

Having picked up a cool €30,000 for his two ponies in November, Yorke commented wryly: “Not such a good trade today as in November, however, it means we can put the proceeds back into a horse.”

Signing the docket for this useful son of Glenayre Silver Fox was Scottish visitor Caitlin Jolly.

“I saw him in the catalogue, and then viewed him online and loved the look of him,” said the show jumping pony rider.

As the better returns clustered between the €4,000 to €6,000 price tag, Tara Creighton’s dark grey gelding Dreamtime Willie John (64) headed Tuesday’s figures at €5,800.

Another pre-sales selection to fulfil his selling potential, the traditionally-bred Irish Draught had lightly competed in some endurance rides and Trek Ireland.

Bred by Mary McGrath, Willie John is by the jumping stallion Echo King out of the RDS winner and prolific broodmare Rosetown Annie. He was well produced on the day by Eoin Gaughgan who, with PJ Watson, trades under the banner of Rosscon Competition Horses.

The gelding now heads to Athlone as one of twelve purchases assigned to Jim Derwin. “I think he looks a very smart sort and a very good colour,” said Derwin.

While there was a solid and consistent trade for cobs and general riding stock, prices livened for the better performers on the second day. As a result Wednesday saw the bulk of the higher returns, including a further three lots which realised in excess of €5,000.

The first of the trio at €5,300 was Julia Zoellner’s 138cms performance pony Camber Roy (158), a versatile seven-year-old with 57 SJI points. Not included in the premier group, Camber Boy was originally sourced unbroken by the Co Laois-based Koellner/Kuehnle family and produced entirely by siblings Jenny and Brian.

“He could have done with a little more mileage,” noted Hans Kuehnle. “However, we have so many ponies, he sometimes got left behind. He is a very genuine pony and a machine across the country.”

Having been the under bidder on a couple of lots over the two days, it was good to see Swedish visitor Jeanetta Hennkssan finally benefit from the fall of the hammer. Accompanied by her daughter Julia, she said afterwards: “We have bought him to go show jumping, and I’m convinced he will progress to make a very good one.”

Rounding off a good day for the Limerick brothers Liam and Kieran Kennedy, their homebred five-year-old mare Candy Floss (248) also sold well at €5,100. Sired by their resident stallion OBOS Quality (dam by Glidawn Diamond) she was knocked down to an Irish cash buyer.

“She is a really lovely mare, she is going show jumping with a lady rider and I know we will be seeing much more of her on the circuit,” commented Liam Kennedy.

Finally, English event producers Equestrian Direct completed their purchases when accounting for Willows Sport Horses’ Danny’s Best (223) a lightly evented six-year-old by the thoroughbred Kings Best for €5,000.

Appetite was muted for the younger stock and easily heading the five and four -year-olds to change hands was Eileen Duggan’s Kilcurry Hudson (99) at €4,500. The homebred gelding, by VDL Hold Up Premier (dam by Laughtons Flight) was produced by Tom Hearne, and secured by Jim Derwin.

YOUNGSTOCK & IRISH DRAUGHT

Buyers reluctant to commit

COMPLETING Tuesday’s trading was a session of young sport horse and breeding stock, followed by a small selection of Irish Draughts.

Individuals in the former category were generally well produced so it was disappointing that more buyers were not prepared to commit. Yearling figures reached a modest €1,200 while heading the overall group at €3,200 was PJ Glynn’s traditionally-bred broodmare Grove Star (125), a seven-year-old by Grosvenor Lad out of Fallduff Lady (by Appraisal) and in foal to Near Dock. A big winner in the show ring and a former holder of the Limerick Lady title, she was knocked down to British breeder Rupert Worrall.

Coming close in terms of price, Lissyegan Stables’ Lissyegan Cruise Royale (116) by Cruising and in foal to Martell, looked very good value when changing hands to a cash buyer for €3,000.

The appetite was similar in the Irish Draughts. A higher percentage saw 73% sold, while topping the group at €2,000 apiece were John Gilleen’s three-year-old filly by Fintan Himself (134) and the following lot, Joe Rohan’s four-year-old filly by Kilcotton Cross.