THE three-day August Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden once again highlighted the enduring strength of the market for well-produced ponies, with a busy ringside and an equally engaged online presence driving spirited bidding. Eleven of the top 20 lots fetched five figures and, at €15,500, the topper far exceeded the top price at the 2024 edition of the sale when €11,000 was paid for Oakland Hero.

Last year, there were 662 entries with 546 through the ring and 387 sold giving a 71% clearance rate. This year, 571 of the 716 entries went through ring, giving an 80% clearance rate.

Some 92 of the sales were conducted online, while 112 ponies are bound for the UK, 32 for Belgium, 24 for Spain, 14 for France, six for the Czech Republic, four for Germany, three for the USA and one for Denmark.

SDV and Cassa Sporthorses of Spainsigned for 24 ponies apiece, while Gerty Tynan and Bryan Dagg took home 18 each. Hannah Taylor and Patrick O’Gorman were the successful bidders on 17 lots, while Jason Sweeney signed for 13. Edward Burke took home 11 ponies while Niall Daly and Arnauld Bernollan took home 10 apiece. Kieran O’Connor, Vincent Meaney, Peter O’Connor and Padraig Quinn also signed for several lots each.

Ann De Courcey, manager of the Connemara Pony Sales, said: “We are very pleased with the sales, there was a buyer for every age and type of pony and, as always, the ridden ponies who have some mileage are the ones reaching the highest amounts.

“The Connemara Pony Show being on earlier that week really turned the whole thing into a six-day festival of the Connemara Pony which was fabulous to see.

“We had huge numbers online, with bidders from all over the world and were very pleased to see the Spanish back in Clifden again, as well as a new buyer from Belgium, who picked up six or seven. There is no doubt that the market is strong, which is very encouraging for the foals that will be coming to our September and October sales.

“Our new 60m x 45m arena was full all day Friday and Saturday, with people showcasing their ridden ponies, so that is proving a huge asset now for vendors.”

Top lot

Lot 359, Ballyvary Nocturne, was the headline act of the sale. A six-year-old dun gelding standing 157cm, he is by Achill Jack out of Lowerybane Super Star (Mac’s Lad), and was offered for sale by Eugene O’Leary. It was Ethine O’Connell who went the distance to secure him for €15,500 outside the ring. Not only broken and riding well, he has already been schooled cross-country and was described as having a trainable temperament.

The five-year-old grey gelding Beag 20 (Lot 409) was another to command strong attention. Standing 153cm, he is by Knockfeery Cheeky Boots out of Foley Beag and was shown by Brian Dunning. Marketed as an all-rounder, he has hunted two seasons with the South Westmeath Hunt, competed in performance classes and schooled up to 1.10m. Padraig Quinn secured him at €13,000.

Lot 472, Tully Finn Tadhg, a striking four-year-old dun gelding, was the highest-priced half-bred. By Western Boy out of Wineport Dis N Dat (ISH by Lux Z) and standing at 162cm, he was presented by Joseph Conroy. Blaise O’Hara signed the docket at €12,700.

At €12,200, Lot 99, Caherlistrane Captain Prince, also proved popular. The 151cm dun five-year-old by Caherlistrane Prince out of Mulroy Bay was brought forward by Geraldine MacCann and purchased by Darren Walsh; this pony was described as riding in a soft contact, with a balanced canter and natural flying changes.

Lot 99 at board Caherlistrane Captain Prince owned by Geraldine MacCann making the highest price on Friday at €12,200 with Abigaile Kenny at the Connemara Pony Sales \ Between The Ears Equine Videos

Another standout was Lot 312, Curry Quinn Dancer, a five-year-old 160cm grey gelding, who realised €11,200. By Callowfeenish View and out of Killaspic Pearl, he was presented by Shona McAuliffe and secured by UK buyer Pippa Skelton. He was described as ready for hunting, cross-country, show jumping and flatwork.

Lot 236, Clonfad Alberto, a four-year-old 15.3hh bay cob gelding with no breeding recorded commanded €10,600. Consigned by Mark Whelan, he was purchased by Clifden farrier and breedeBryan O’Halloran.

Top mare

Lot 73, Lusmagh Nightengale, a five-year-old 138cm grey was the top-priced mare, making €10,200. By Glencarrig Knight and out of Dunguaire Rosemary, she was consigned by Lorraine Carey and sold to Seamus Browne. In the same home since a foal, this Class 1 mare was described as a “smashing” type with 57 Showjumping Ireland points to date, as well as experience on the beach, on cross-country courses and working hunter.

Lot 97, Cluain Aidhle Star, a 148cm bay filly and the top-priced three-year-old, almost matched that achievement with a price of €10,000. By Caoranbeg Champ and out of Kinvara Grey, she was sold by Geraldine MacCann and bought by Rita Lyons.

Lot 97 Cluain Aidhle Star was the highest price three-year-old of the sale making €10,000. Pictued with Geraldine MacCann(seller), Colin Joyce (breeder) and his daughter Aoife \ Between The Ears Equine Videos

Also reaching €10,000 was Lot 283, Dunlewey Ridge, a four-year-old 155cm grey gelding. By Bettyspark Shadow and out of Dunlewey Rumex, he was presented by Kilian Browne and purchased by Yvonne Duffy. Having qualified for Dublin Horse Show and Clifden Green Hunter classes, his credentials point strongly towards a future in performance.

Completing the top 10 was Lot 361, Curraghaleen Cascade, a four-year-old 148cm grey gelding who also fetched €10,000. By Gwennic de Goariva and out of Cascade Tara, he was consigned by John Harte and bought by Vivienne Hogan. As the catalogue noted, this was a top performance pony with serious potential, stamped by a sire who jumped to 1.35m.

Lot 471, Il Buono, a three-year-old 157cm dun gelding by Anna Dooneen (CP) out of Flagmount Doll (ISH), also sold for €10,000 from Trevor Horgan to Kevin O’Donnell.

Lot 98, Kaitlyn’s Mirah Paddy, a four-year-old 150cm dun gelding by Glemore Mirah Patrick out of Cailin Chonamara, brought €9,800 for seller Geraldine MacCann, purchased by Victoria Vaux.

Two mares tied at €9,200: Lot 249, Birchill Galway Girl, a five-year-old 148cm grey by Glencarrig Sparrow out of My Tangos Duchess, sold by Cyril Carty to Niall Daly; and Lot 360, Gracies Heather Belle, an 11-year-old 138cm grey mare by Currachmore Cashel out of Gracie, sold by Bernadette De Courcey to Pat O’Gorman.

Lot 62, Rathsallagh Pete, a six-year-old 15hh grey mare by Callowfeenish View out of Killea Petra, realised €8,800 for Pat O’Brien, also purchased by Niall Daly.

Castlebin Spit Second (lot 92), an eight-year-old dun 143cm mare by DunBanagher De Bregeon out of Annaghdown Annie, also made €8,800 and went to Ardle Horses.

Lot 187, Mungo Dan, a 148cm grey six-year-old by Aill Na Brun Lad out of Knockma Mungo also made €8,800 for Joanna Mowat when knocked down to Pat O’Gorman.

Ardle Horses also signed for Lot 76, Lickeen Captain, a 14.3hh five-year-old gelding by Alkatraz Paddy out of Lickeen Isabel and consigned by Killian Bannon. He went for €8,200 as did Lot 80, Summerdale Lilly, a 148cm grey five-year-old mare by Barana Dexter Boy out of Cloonkeen Annie, who was consigned by Aishling Feeney and sold to Niall Daly. Lot 95, TBS Salsa Step, a six-year-old 138cm dun mare by Ashfield Echo I Love You out of TBS Lady also fetched €8,200 and went to Kieran O’Connor.

Yearlings

Trade for yearlings was also lively with lot 582, Dominic White’s Kyletaun Molly May by Bohola Mirah out of Murvey Sweet going to Kevin Reilly for €3,600. Lot 619, Martin Lee’s Doohulla Sliver Lad, a colt by Glencarrig Knight out of Doohulla Mystery Girl went to Anthony Rodgers for €3,400.

Jimmy Connaughton sold two geldings (lot 656, Conns Diamond by Lightening Star and lot 657, Conns Lightening by FLS Breadys Boy) for €3,000 apiece, with the latter bound for the USA.