TWO exciting 1.40m show jumpers feature among the 585 lots in a bumper catalogue at Goresbridge next week. The duo (Lots 295 and 296), both of whom can be viewed prior to sale, are due to come under the hammer on day two of the renewal, which has recently been extended to run over three days.
As a result, and in order accommodate a hugely increased entry, the edition will kick off on Wednesday with a mixed day of ponies and older sport horse stock.
Included in these is a special division for registered Connemara ponies which, numbering around 50 lots, will pass through the ring during the opening session.
The remaining two days will proceed in age groups, with the three-year-olds bringing the week to a close on Friday afternoon. Standing out among this final group are some outstandingly bred individuals, including a half-sister to ABC Quantum Cruise, ABC Private Jet etc and another from the immediate family of MHS Going Global.
As he did last year, the Kennedy brothers’ inmate Vivant Van de Heffinck clearly leads the way with 20 lots forward, while HHS Cornet (10), Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (9) and Sligo Candy Boy (7) are also well supported.
Ponies
Lot 1 Pumpkin, reg 8 yo gr g 122cm by Blanche Grandee out of Shamrocklake Cherris Clever Dream (Shamrocklake Royal Heartbeat). Hopefully kicking off the week on a high note, the first lot is a Welsh Section A gelding with solid form in lead rein/ first ridden and open classes. Impeccably bred, he qualified for the Royal International show (M and M, first ridden and open classes), and was also well-placed in his HOYS qualifiers. In addition, he competed successfully in a winter league, jumping under a seven-year-old rider, and has hunted.
Lot 26 McEvoy Ned, reg 5 yo gr g 138cm by Teach Mor King. One from the intermediate height group, this young pony landed the 2024 Millstreet Young Irelander title last year (138cm winner). Fully warranted and measured with the SJI for the current season, he is showing lots of potential to develop into a top pony.
Lot 40 Annod Little Miss Primrose, reg 6 yo ch m 13.2hh by Annod St Bert out of Poundy Lilian (Tryfel Tiger Bay). One of the catalogue picks, this smart mare has a career total of 71 SJI points. Fully warranted, she is a straight forward ride and described as a super prospect for RDS six/seven-year-old qualifiers.
Connemara Ponies
Lot 84 Kilmore Diamond Carrick Lad, reg 5 yo gr g 14.2hh by Kilmore Diamond out of Drumcong Lady Carrick (Malbay Mist). Carrying immediate class 1 bloodlines on both sides of the pedigree, this smartly-bred youngster has already clocked up 50 SJI points. Now awaiting a capable rider to produce further through the grades and onto the RDS age qualifiers, he has also competed in showing and cross-country classes.
Lot 93 Jack Sparrow, reg 13 yo gr g 14.2hh by Cheeky Bobby Sparrow out of Deep Valley Orchid (Milford Siskin). This fully warranted Class 1 schoolmaster has successfully competed in a wide range of disciplines. The winner of 41 SJI points, he has show jumped to 1m level, is straightforward in every way and is sadly for sale as rider is outgrown.
Lot 98 Kiltale Wasp, reg 4 yo gr g 148cm by Monaghanstown Boy out of Liskillen Breeze (Glencarrig Kinght). One for the future could be this smartly-bred gelding, who has a Class 1 performance pedigree on both sides of the family. Lightly schooled cross-country, he has proved brave and genuine in his attitude to work and is showing the potential to be a successful competition pony.
Lot 112 Starlight Bunny, reg 5 yo b g 147cm by Lightening Star out of Sheeogue (Ross Fear Bui). This fully warranted performance-bred pony qualified for the RDS and the Clifden green hunter finals last year and is described as an excellent prospect for the RDS performance classes.
Lot 122 Rickmore Fable, reg 8 yo b g 147cm by Templebready Fear Bui out of Sydserff Finola (Cocum Camelot). One of the last progeny of the great Templebready Fear Bui, this experienced gelding has clocked up 56 SJI points in classes up to 1.10m level. Quiet in all respects, he has been in the same home for three years and has competed in a variety of disciplines.
Older horses (Wednesday)
Lot 143 Unnamed, reg 6 yo b m 16.2hh by Knock Morris out of Doone Eileen (Coolcronan Wood). One for the traditionalists, this straightforward, fully warranted mare was crowned the best traditional Irish Sport Horse in Kildare Performance Show in Punchestown last year.
Lot 167 Sumas Taylor, reg 6 yo b g 16.2hh by Tyson out of Sumas Fanny Brice (VDL Arkansas). A beautifully-bred youngster with 29 SJI points, he is out of the useful jumping mare Sumas Fanny Brice (1.30m). From a prolific performance family, he is a half-brother to the Max Foley-ridden Sumas Knockout (1.40m) and the event horse Sumas Tina Turner (CCI3*).
Lot 192 CNF Dynamite, reg 11 yo b g 16.3hh by OBOS Quality out of Galtee Charm (Cavalier Royale). An ideal opportunity to buy a proven young rider’s horse, this experienced gelding is described as an ideal candidate for the RDS and Grand Prix classes this season. Successfully campaigned by a young rider in classes up to 1.45m, he has a career total of 131 SJI points to date.
Hunters (Wednesday and Thursday)
Lot 199 Metalbridge Sid, reg 6 yo b g 16.2hh by Uskerty Sweet Lad out of Maudlin Sally (Master Imp). This fully warranted individual has followed hounds for the past two seasons, hunting once a week and never missing a day. A great performer over ditches and good over drains, his photograph has featured in The Irish Field on several occasions.
Lot 232 Cruiscin Ian, reg 5 yo b g 16.1hh. An easy individual and snaffle-mouthed, this gelding has competed at training shows and evented. He has hunted with the Roscommon hounds for two seasons, carrying the whipper-in on several occasions.
Older horses (Thursday)
Lot 256 Ballyshan For Pleasure, reg 5 yo b g 16.1hh by For Kinmar Hero Z out of Vanessa (Verdi). A recently broken, very well-related youngster, this home-bred gelding is out of a half-sister to the American Olympic (Paris) event horse Cooley Nutcracker and from the family of a raft of international performers.
Lot 260 FWS Run Of The River, reg 5 yo gr m 16.1hh by HHS Cornet out of Cry Me A River Z (Comilfo Plus Z). An opportunity to purchase a well-bred mare from a top-performing family. Dam competed to 1.35m with the vendor/breeder and is a sibling to Et Alors Z (1.45m). Also appearing close in the immediate line is Captain Conlanc (1.50m) and L’Amour (1.45m).
Lot 295 Corraghor Red, reg 10 yo ch m 16.2hh by Mermus R out of Corraghor Lioness (Cruising). One of the catalogue standouts, this mare is the winner of 147 SJI points to date. She racked up an international CSI 2* win at Chard last year and is placed regularly at 1.35m and 1.40m level. Fast, careful and athletic.
Lot 296 Drishoge Creed, reg 8 yo gr g 16.1hh by Hector Van d’Abdijhoeve out of Evita (Zanzou R). Possibly the pick of the sale, this home-bred accumulated many placings in the IHB classes as a five, six and seven-year-old. The winner of 123 SJI points, he is currently competing at 1.40m level and will go far in the right hands. Bred to perform, he is a sibling to several graded jumpers including Drishoge Cruz Control, who was among the top-tier returns at Goresbridge last autumn.
Four-year-olds (Thursday)
Lot 344 MBF Canturo Grey Mist, reg 4 yo gr g 163cm by Canturo Grey Mist out of Owenriff Mist (Ars Vivendi). One from the sizeable consignment from regular sale-topping vendors, this attractively-bred gelding hails from a thoroughbred maternal line and, quiet in all respects, is showing all the potential to make a high-class competitor.
Lot 347 Unnamed, reg 4 yo ch g 168cm by Pointilliste out of Dunahall Treasure (Master Imp). Carrying traditional Slyguff lines and 87% thoroughbred blood, this youngster has the mind, breeding and the scope to event up the levels. Well-related, his dam is a full-sister to Master Ballinteskin (1.50m).
Four-year-olds (Friday)
Lot 461 Toberdane Misty Glen, reg 4 yo gr f 16.1hh by Glynnwood Cornet out of Diamond Echo (Colin Diamond). An All-Ireland finalist as a two and three-year-old, Misty Glen is now broken and showing great potential for a variety of disciplines.
Lot 476 Billie, reg 4 yo gr f 16.1hh by Wild Bill Balou out of Badgerhill Cruise (Cruising). Described as an exceptional jumper with scope and care to progress through the grades, this filly is out of a grade A show jumper from the family of Gowran Park etc and is a sibling to the international horses TKS Cooley (CCI4*) and TKS Timeline.
Three-year-olds
Lot 551 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b f 16.1hh by Sir Jim Jim out of May Johnson (OBOS Quality). By the recently approved Sir Jim Jim, this filly is showing great promise to jump and is out of a sibling to many international performers including Queensway Royal (1.60m) and the four-star event horses Night Quality and JSC Bucketlist.
Lot 561 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b f 16.1hh by Grandorado TN out of Her Highness (Royale Concorde). Showing great ability to jump, this beautifully-bred filly is a sibling to Right Above It (CCI4*). Her dam is a sister to Laughton’s Marwood (1.55m) and Gowan Lady, dam of MHS Going Global 1.60m etc.
Lot 577 ABC Sweet Sixteen, reg 3 yo b f 16.1hh by Pegase Van’t Ruytershof out of Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser (Cruising). Probably the best-related offering in the catalogue, this outstandingly-bred filly is out of the former Cavan Classic five-year-old champion and is a sibling to the Nations Cup performer ABC Quantum Cruise (1.70m), as well as ABC Private Jet (1.50m), ABC Caruso (1.50m) and the six-year-old world champion ABC Saving Grace (1.45m).
Lot 579 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 167cm by Castlefield Kingston out of Ballydunne Dream (Cavalier Royale). Carrying both Cruising and Cavalier Royale bloodlines, this performance-bred gelding is out of a half-sister to the Jessica Burke-ridden 1.60m jumper CC Captain Cruise (AKA Dermish Cruise) and from the family of Ballydunne Royal (1.40m), Calluna Candy (1.40m) and Geoff Curran’s Puissance specialist, Bishops Quarter.
Michael Donohoe & Sons
Address: Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny
Telephone: 0599775145 Fax 0599775541
Email: info@goresbridge.com
Web: www.irishhorse.com
Date: May 7th - 9th 2025.
Wednesday: 10.30am. Ponies (79 lots), special sector for Connemara pones (51 lots) and older horses.
Thursday: 10.30am. Older horses and four-year-olds.
Friday: 10.30am. Four-year-olds and three-year-olds.
Total Lots: 585 (plus supplementary catalogue).
Last year’s top lot: MBF Sporthorses’ Party Boy Z, four-year-old gelding by Presley Boy (dam by Karandasj) €28,500.