AS one of the best supported sales of the year, Friday’s session of Irish Draughts did not disappoint.
In terms of trade, however, business was mixed and, while there were some strong enough returns and a top price of €9,500, these were largely confined to the older stock and the foals found it hard to make an impact. Looking at the figures, 59% (58% in 2024) changed hands, while the average increased to €2,530 from €2,106 in 2024.
Head-turner
One who did turn heads to top the sale by a distance was Jenna McConnell’s five-year-old gelding (Lot 424) by DS Ballagh Bouncer out of Tavanagh Dollies Daughter (Woodland Boy). One of the last lots through the ring, the Aeneas Noonan-bred gelding was the subject of huge interest before eventually selling to Co Derry buyer George Giles for €9,500.
Although having paid more than he anticipated, Giles was delighted with his purchase, explaining he was looking for a replacement to one recently deceased. “We were looking for a strong, quiet, Irish Sport Horse that we could show a bit in working hunters and show jump and this one ticked all the boxes,” he said.
“He’s a good athletic type and, most importantly, he was young as we didn’t want an older horse - we wanted a blank canvas to produce. He will have a home here for life.”
Equally pleased with the outcome was Strabane vendor Jenna McConnell who, describing herself as a part-time farmer and part-time horse trader, had owned the gelding for two years. “He’s been well hunted with the Donegal Harriers and is extremely straightforward. He’s so quiet I use him as a lead horse for the youngsters, which is why I have been slow to decide to sell him! I’m absolutely delighted - I wish I had 10 of him,” McConnell said.
Creditable
Heading the three-year-olds at a creditable €6,000 was Gene Ormiston’s Cherrymount Dubh (Lot 414a). A son of Heigh Ho Dubh out of Urlar April, by It’s The Quiet Man, he looked well bought by the telephone bid of Scottish customer Suzanne McIntosh.
Travelling from his home in Co Donegal, John Carlin was pleased with his return of €5,500 for his home-bred Mongorry Ficara (Lot 412). The grey gelding is by Gortfree Lakeside Lad out of the good mare Mongorry Saoirse (Mongorry O Murchui), who was one of the first mares Carlin bred.
“She’s 21 now and has produced a foal for me every year,” he commented. “We have three younger of her progeny at home, one by the same sire and two by the thoroughbred Galileo Dance.”
Co Longford show jumper Aisling McGreal accounted for this smart sort, while a few minutes later Burke Bloodstock signed for the next lot through the ring at €4,400. This once again went the way of Jenna McConnell who, enjoying an excellent day at the office, sold ASA Simply Silver Henry for €4,400. This four-year-old by Cloncastle Silver Squire was bred by the Temple family in Co Donegal and, broken and produced by McConnell, had also hunted with the Donegal Harriers.
Foals
The foal prices were less impressive, but topping them at a healthy €4,100 was John Bracken’s unnamed filly (Lot 384) by Abbeyward Zero out of Mountain Pride, by Mountain Diamond. With breeding going back to Scrapman, she was attractively bred and was knocked down to Tom Daly.
George Draper’s Rosses Gentle Farmer was another to sell well at €4,000. A filly foal by Tors Gentleman Farmer out of Rosses Gentle Ruby (Gentle Diamond), she was secured by an Irish buyer.
Five of the older mares or fillies changed hands with the best return of €3,750 falling to Grangebeg Farms’ four-year-old filly Grangebeg Castelli (Lot 416) by Cappa Casanova out of Drumbohill Beauty (Gortfree Hero). Successfully shown in hand, she is in foal to the outcross Class 1 RID stallion Carrabeg Glengariff (Clonakilty Hero).
TOP RETURNS