THE one-day Connemara Pony Sales renewal in Clifden, Co Galway last Sunday sent signals that trade for the native breed continues to hold strong with an improved, and impressive, clearance rate of 82% (78% in 2024) and a top price of €12,000.

Continued work at the Clifden site is ongoing and for this sale, delivered more parking for vendors and buyers on-site. The online market proved exceptionally strong with 61 (37%) of the 163 ponies sold through the MartEye platform, while the UK market delivered again snapping up 39 ponies. The influx of visitors was noticeable around the town and the sale coincided with the reveal of the newly-renovated Station House Hotel, popular with sales goers.

Reflecting on a busy day, manager Ann De Courcey said: “We are very happy, it was a good one-day with a big entry and plenty of interest. There is a demand for really nice ponies and they continue to sell well. We didn’t have many mares but the one we did sold well and the youngstock are doing well too. There was a bid for everything.

“We are seeing the trade for cattle and sheep going through the roof and ponies are holding strong too. Online is getting bigger and the likes of our regular Gerty Tynan wasn’t on-site but she still bought six. We are happy with that.”

Commenting on the site work, de Courcey added: “We are hoping to have our new arena ready for the May sale as well as 16 more stables.”

Top lot

Those interested in Lot 159, Slievemish Thunder, had to wait until later in the afternoon for their chance to bid on the gelding and it was a lively tussle which eventually led to the seven-year-old 147cm making the top price of €12,000.

Consigned to the sale by Roisin Corkery, the grey by Robe Thunder out of the Oisin mare Cloneenagh Lass has amassed 98 Showjumping Ireland points up to 1.10m level and he has an FEI pony measurement, as well as competing in cross-country and Pony Club activities. It was Co Sligo horse dealer Felix Burke who had the final say on the sale topper and he also bought another 11 ponies.

It was a first visit to the Clifden sales venue for Malahide-based Corkery, who commented: “We bought him as a four-year-old in West Cork. My daughter Ciara Lawton produced him and brought him on.

“Unfortunately, she’s doing her Leaving Cert now so he had to go. She was at home studying while we were up in Clifden because she had her Irish oral on the Monday morning.”

With the flying trade in Connemaras, she added: “He’s such a lovely pony, I had hoped he would do better but it was great to get the top price. We had a great day, everyone was so nice, we had a lovely stable and we were happy out.”

Two ponies were sold for €10,000 apiece; the first of those was Lot 116, Morepark Western, a six-year-old gelding by Western Boy. Home-bred by seller Shona McAuliffe and standing at 156cm, he was described as “a true gent” who has presence, manners and character. He was knocked down to British buyer Ria Comins.

Lot 116, Morepark Western, was sold to the UK for €10,000 at the Connemara Pony Sales last Sunday \ Rynes Walker

Four-year-olds

The highest priced four-year-old and also making €10,000 and heading across the Irish Sea is Michael Collins’ Lot 144, Caherview Moonlight, a four-year-old 148cm Class 1 stallion by Rathcoona Lightening. The UK’s Megan Taylor had the final say on the eye-catcher who, listed as dun but more brown in the flesh, is broken and riding.

Lot 144, Cahirview Moonlight, was the highest priced four-year-old, sold for €10,00 to the UK \ Rynes Walker

The top mare of the sale at €9,500 was Lot 157, Clonlara Molly, a five-year-old grey 148cm by Clonlara’s Maam Hill Houdini. Vendor Leonie McCormack described the mare as a “quality athletic pony jumping around 1m plus track with comfort” and Ciaran O’Connor was the buyer on this occasion.

Clifden regular PJ Watson signed for Amy Finn’s Lot 119, Castletown Shade, at €9,000. The four-year-old golden dun 148cm gelding is by Moonlight Silver Shadow and expected to excel in any discipline. At the same price, Padraic Quinn bought Lot 156, Ballyard Copper, a seven-year-old bay gelding by Ballyard Rebel Buí from Jessica D’Alton.

The next sale takes place over three days from May 16th to 18th.