Top returns

Carol Lambe’s Slieveroe Aphrodite, five-year-old mare by Carrick Diamond Lad (dam by Hermes de Reve) €10,000.

Melissa Gallentine’s Captain Star Clover, five-year-old gelding by Quite Capitol (dam by Star Cruise) €10,000.

Elena Pothmann’s Knockma Skye,five-year-old 148cm mare by Frederiksminde Hazy Merlin (dam by Kippure Columbus) €8,000.

J.P. Meegan’s Dorcets Last Lady, seven-year-old mare by Retirement Plan (dam by Little Big Horn) €8,000.

Robbie Carragher’s Carl, five-year-old gelding by Carlo Bank (dam by Coolcronan Wood) €7,700.

ON the back of a bumper year in 2023, the new sale season opened in a steadier, but nevertheless satisfactory fashion at Cavan last week. Traditionally staged in early February, Tuesday’s returns may have been modest in comparison to those of 12 months ago, but illustrating a lively demand, the clearance rate of 77% was equalled. Despite the small catalogue, there were plenty of customers on site and, with the added influence of online buying, two individuals realised five figure prices.

In general, however, it seemed the stock on offer was inconsistent, which led to a slip in average to €4,955 (€5,690 in 2023). Correspondingly and with just fifty-three lots changing hands, the turnover naturally dropped to €262,600 (€369,850).

Sale toppers

Enjoying her first experience as an auction vendor, Co Monaghan hobby breeder Carol Lambe was predictably delighted when her home-bred mare Slieverue Aphrodite (Lot 47) equalled the day’s top return at €10,000. A successful product of HSI’s breaking and subsequent schooling scheme, Lambe’s five-year-old was beautifully produced by Jill Revill, and looked well bought by Leicestershire hunting trader Graham Smith. A daughter of Carrick Diamond Lad, she was the second foal out of Tyche by Hermes de Reve and, according to her breeder, the result would not have been possible without the grants awarded from HSI. “All credit to them and to Jill,” she said afterwards. “It’s a wonderful scheme. She was a big weak mare and, thanks to the grant, I was able to give her the time to produce her properly. She was sent to Jill to be broken and then produced and, by the time of sale, she was riding fantastically and in such a calm manner. Her buyer, Graham Smith, told me he liked her when he initially viewed the pre-sale videos and, having seen her on the day, he described her as a real old fashioned Irish type and one not easy to find.”

Passing through the sale ring a few lots later, and landing the same return, was Melissa Gallentine’s Captain Star Clover (Lot 64), another five-year-old this time by the Holstein jumping stallion Quite Capitol 11 (Quidam de Revel) out of Ruskeys Silver Lady (Star Cruise). Knocked down to top pony rider Carl Dore, this attractively related gelding was the first foal out of a sister to a string of good performers, including the four-star event horse Amiro Sky, ridden by New Zealander Bruce Haskell, as well as the useful jumpers, Rose of Lennon, Alfadaeo and DHI Bounce. A catalogue pick on paper, the grey was produced for his American owner by the Mulyfarnhan-based Maxwell Sport Horses and, ridden by Sarah Maxwell, is currently competing in training shows. He had been given a varied education over the past year and, as a result, had also hunted with the south Westmeath hounds and carried the Field-Master.

Notables

Next in line at €8,000 and also topping the pony division, was Elena Porthmann’s well-bred Connemara mare, Knockma Skye (Lot 18), by the Danish-bred import and class 1 performance sire Frederiksminde Hazy Merlin (not as catalogued) out of Sukeen Jill by the good jumping sire Kippure Columbus. Standing 148cm, she had been broken last year and was described as an ideal competition prospect for the age classes next season. “We bought her from a friend in Galway as a two-year-old – and initially to compete ourselves,” explained Co Carlow-based vendor. “However, my daughter, Ellie Portmann Mullen, is out of the age group it was best to sell. I was hoping she might have made a little more, but we are pleased enough and as this was her first time jumping away from home, we were delighted with her.” Obviously agreeing with his sentiment was successful buyer and regular pony customer, Niall Daly, who accounted for a further two lots over the course of the day

Lot 16 at the Cavan February Performance Horse sale was Knockma Skye (Kippure Columbus x Frederiksminde Hazy Merlin) a 5-year-old bay mare who went for €8,000

Another to realise an €8,000 price tag was J.P. Meegan’s Dorcets Last Lady (Lot 24), a seven-year-old throughbred mare by Retirement Plan out of Dorcet’s Last Stand by Little Big Horn. Standing just 158cm and having run in a few point-to-points over the last two seasons, she was secured by the UK-based Swedish trade customer Kikka Suomio.

Thoroughbred sires continued to punch above their weight and, heading the traditional ranks at €7,700, was Robbie Carragher’s Carl (Lot 61) a five-year-old gelding by Carlo Bank out of Ballingeary Silver Moon by Coolcronan Wood. In the same ownership for the past year, he was according to his Co Monaghan vendor: “Just a thoroughly nice, easy type of horse. We have done a few shows and a few working hunter classes with him – he is a real gentleman.” Typical of the sort to make money on the day, he was knocked down to a British-based trade customer.

Also selling well at €7,400 was Tara Patton’s home-bred five-year-old Our Creewood Star (Lot 61), a mare by the KWPN sire J Reach For The Stars (aka J Dsean de Landetta) out of Patton’s 1.20m jumping mare Dakoda (Nad Elshiba). Now bound for Scotland, she has been quietly produced and has attended HSI training sessions.

Four-year-olds

It is probably too early in the year for the age group to make a real impact, so realising the best return at €5,900 was Michael McDermott’s unnamed gelding (Lot 78a) by Sligo Candy Boy out of Ballyrath Girl by Crosstown Dancer. A prolific broodmare, the dam has bred her vendor 11 foals, three of which are graded jumpers. UK trader Gemma Coburn was at ringside to account for this useful sort, who having been broken in at home, was then sent to Barry McCormick to produce for the sale.