FOR its eighth renewal, the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale of select event horses returns to its standalone status but all else remains the same with Martin Donohoe and his team having put together another top-class catalogue.
The regular selection trio of Clare Ryan, Sally Parkyn and Chris Ryan were once again joined as guest selector by Bridget Speirs and, for the first time, by British international Nicky Roncoroni. The last-named, who recorded one of the rare clear show jumping rounds at Pau last Sunday on Stonedge, moved to Ireland earlier this year and has become a well-known face on the national eventing circuit.
There are 81 lots catalogued, all but two of whom are registered as Irish Sport Horses. The studbook has had another excellent season, topping the world eventing rankings for the 22nd time in 24 years and recently winning the young event horse championships at Le Lion d’Angers.
Against the magnificent backdrop of Burghley House, the front cover of this year’s catalogue features this season’s winner of the Dubarry Burghley five-year-old young event horse championship, Poynstown Stonehaven (Tracy Walshe). This Ars Vivendi gelding was consigned to last year’s Go For Gold Sale by Johnny Widger who sold the bay for €28,000 to River Lodge Eventing.
In the United States, the East and West Coast five-year-old championships were headed by the Go For Gold graduates Exclusively Cooley and Summerbridge Parc. Both Ramiro B geldings were sold as three-year-olds at the 2015 sale when there were 20 less horses on offer. Among the more well-established graduates of the sale are Cooley Rorkes Drift, Copper Beech, November Night and Cooley SRS.
Once again, the number of geldings catalogued far exceeds the number of mares but anyone looking for a foundation mare should be happy with the quality of stock listed with some very well-related lots among them.
The Go For Gold format is now well-established and large crowds can be expected at Barnadown for the three viewing days and in the Amber Springs Hotel for the auction on the night of Wednesday, November 15th.
SIX-YEAR-OLD GELDINGS
Lot 2 Match My Class, ch by VDL Arkansas out of Bowriver Molly by Insan. Consigned by Class Sport Horses, producers of this year’s Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class, this gelding won a potential event horse qualifier as a three-year-old and last season was fourth in the five-year-old Masterclass at Camphire International. He competed in just three events this year, all at novice level, and was sixth in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook six-year-old class at the National Championships in Tattersalls in September. He carries 76% blood being out of a thoroughbred mare who comes from the family of 12-time winner Bells Life.
Lot 3 Lukas, b by Lux Z out of Say Wonderful by Roi Danzig. Also out of a thoroughbred mare, Lulu Parkhill’s home-bred gelding was show jumping in the earlier part of this year and just competed in two events, placing fifth in an EI100 class at Lisgarvan (3) in mid-September and, later that month, third in the prestigious Michael Leonard championship (CNC1*) for five and six-year-olds at Ballindenisk International.
FIVE-YEAR-OLD GELDINGS
Lot 6 Kilcandra Orestus, b by Orestus out of Beavers Bugsy Malone by Hallodri. A half-brother to the Coolcorran Cool Diamond geldings Harbour Pilot C (CCI4*) and Coolcorran Kinsale (CIC3*), Willows Sport Horses’ dark bay finished third in the Stepping Stones to Success league and competed in both the RDS young event horse finals and the National Eventing Discovery at Millstreet. He finished fifth on his only EI start.
Lot 9 Steppe Rebel, b by Steppe Dancer – Rebels Miss Ladeda by Oh Carol’s Rebel. Fifth in the young event horse final at the RDS, Helena Dawson’s gelding filled the same place in an EI90 class at Lisgarvan (1) earlier in the year. His dam is a half-sister to the Roseberry Avenue gelding Cool Decision (CCI3*).
Lot 12 Class Booze Cruise, gr by Crosstown Dancer out of Tisara Cruise by Cruising. From the same consigners as Lot 2, this grey is a half-brother to the OBOS Quality 004 gelding Ballygarvan (CSI2*). He has been placed in two EI90 classes.
Lot 15 Gurtera Mattie Clover, br by Newmarket Venture out of Kilderry Clover by Clover Hill. Sophie Richards’s slowly-produced gelding, who has evented, is a full-brother to Annie Clover (CCI4*).
Lot 16 Lord Barnaby Rhodes, gr by Barnaby Flight out of Kintara Pride by Porter Rhodes. A winner of several lightweight hunter classes in 2016, including at Mohill where he was champion, Judy Pearson’s grey is a half-brother to the Stormhill Miller gelding Balladeer Miller Man (CCI3*). He has been eventing this year and won an EI100 class at Kilguilkey House (3).
Lot 20 Ardfield Tower, b by Pointilliste out of Coumroe Princess by Hallo. Eddie Freyne’s home-bred gelding has competed in three EI90 classes this year, placing sixth last time out at Kilguilkey House (3). He is a half-brother to Ardfield Duke (CIC3*) and Ardfield Boy (CCI2*), while his dam is a half-sister to, among others, Ardfield Magic Star (CCI4*) and the stallion Doranstown Hallo.
FIVE-YEAR-OLDS MARES
Lot 13 Sumas For Keeps, b by KMS Romeo out of Suma Legacy by Horos. Suma Stud’s mare, who bred a colt foal by Dignified van’t Zorgvliet in 2016, competed in the Stepping Stones series at the start of the year. Following a break, she was evented three times and finished sixth in an EI90 class at Rosanna. She is very much a product of her owner/breeders’ nursery being from the maternal family of Imperial Sky (CCI3*), Hollybrook Sky High (CCI3*) and the influential Irish Draught stallion Crosstown Dancer.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD
GELDINGS
Lot 22 Ballyvillane OBOS, ch by OBOS Quality 004 out of Gleesons Coolcorran by Young Convinced. Winner of the four-year-old Stepping Stones To Success League, Belline Equestrian’s chesnut also qualified for the young event horse final at the RDS where he finished eighth. The vendor’s grey geldings, Derena Super Star (Lot 28) by Womanizer and Ballinglen Awesome (Lot 41) by Rebel Mountain, have a similar profile.
Lot 25 HSH Luska Legend is a four-year-old Sligo Candy Boy gelding (Photo: Tadhg Ryan)
Lot 25 HSH Luska Legend, b by Sligo Candy Boy out of Miss Demeanor by White Clover. Thomas Hutchinson’s bay, whose dam competed to CIC2* level, won the National Eventing Discovery class at Millstreet this year. HSH Luska Legend was ridden by Kelley Hutchinson who consigns HSH Everything (Lot 40), a bay gelding by Sir Shutterfly out of the Mountain Pearl mare Canterbella Pearl.
Lot 29 Ballygriffin Black Vendi, bl by Ards Vivendi out of My Rathsallagh Girl by Stowaway. Placed second and third in two try eventing classes, this gelding recorded a double clear on his sole affiliated start.
Lot 32 Unnamed, b by Puissance out of Coolcorran Gypsey by Coolcorron Cool Diamond. The property of Jean Morton, who also consigns the five-year-old Porsch gelding Renkum Lad (Lot 14), this slowly-produced bay comes from the family of Killossery Kruisita (CCI3*), etc.
Lot 34 RNG Vantage Point, ch by Pointilliste out of Q U Eenie by Kings Master. From a top showing family, Raheen-Na-Gun Stud’s flashy chesnut competed in the young event horse series during the summer and has won and been placed in unaffiliated combined training competitions.
Lot 36 Fiddancoyle Bounzar, br by Nazar out of Ashmores Zoe by Grange Bouncer. Consigned by Jodie Skelton and Emma Hosey, this gelding, who competed in the young event horse series, is a full-brother to the year older Brookfield Benjamin Bounce who has won two BE100 classes.
Lot 37 Unnamed, b by OBOS Quality 004 out of Mollys Diamondstrike by Maltstriker. Kennedy Brothers Sporthorses’ gelding was second in the National Eventing Discovery final at Millstreet. He is a half-brother to Bridgemans Cocoa Malt (who represented the ISH Studbook at Le Lion d’Angers).
Lot 38 Keep On Dreaming, ch by Lancelot out of Gayle Rebel by Lord Noble. Michael Ryan’s home-bred chesnut has competed in two EI90 events and finished in the top 10 in the Burghley young event horse qualifier at Tattersalls.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD MARES
Lot 26 Power Supreme, b by Superior Premium out of Bing Power by Tomgar Power Crest. Bryan Maguire’s home-bred bay, who qualified for the last eight in the National Eventing Discovery class at Millstreet, finished fifth on her only start in an EI90 class. She is a sibling to no less than five international eventers, headed by the Rolex Kentucky winner Bay My Hero (by Cult Hero).
Lot 27 Magheradrummond Shutter Fly, b by Sir Shutterfly out of Magheradrummond Rivie, by Crosstown Dancer. Colm Doherty’s home-bred mare was fifth in her young event horse final at the RDS in August.
Lot 33 Goodwins Luxy, b by Lux Z out of Goodwins Go Deo by OBOS Quality 004. Out of a half-sister to the show jumper Goodwins Chiko (by Sekio) and from the family of Goodwins Glory (CCI3*), this bay has 13 SJI points.
Lot 39 Summer Stardust, b by Clover Brigade out of Cavaliers Abbey, by Cavalier Royale. The property of Sarah Ponsonby and Gavin Ryan, this bay competed in the young event horse series and the National Eventing Discovery championships. She is half-sister to the Condios gelding William Penn (CCI3*) who was short-listed for the USA’s Olympic Games team. This mare is one of two progeny in the sale by Clover Brigade, the other being Noel Ryan’s GRC Cu Chulainn (Lot 5), a five-year-old gelding out of the show jumping mare Loughnavatta Pearl.
THREE-YEAR-OLD
GELDINGS
Lot 46 Highmoon, ch by Rehy High Society out of Moondice Charmer by Cavalier Royale. James McEvoy’s highly-rated gelding won his qualifier (at Kernans EC) and was reserve in the potential event horse championship at the RDS. He is a half-brother to Donzello (CIC2*).
Lot 48 Loughnatousa Levi, b by OBOS Quality 004 out of Loughnatousa Elsa by Spring Diamond. Mark Beecher’s family-bred gelding is a half-brother to leading American show hunter Carhartt and to Loughnatousa Reinier and Loughnatousa Oliver who are both eventing in the USA.
Lot 50 Unnamed, b by Rainstown Hollow out of Madges Lane Midnight by Ghareeb. The dam of Seamus Walsh’s home-bred gelding is a full-sister to My Sunday Best (CIC3*).
Lot 51 Greenhall Trevor, b by Harlequin du Carel out of Lady Loughehoe, by Loughehoe Guy. This bay is the second foal of his dam, the first being the 2012 Cavalier Two For Joy mare Coco Bella, who is with Francis Connors. This gelding was bred by his owner Derry Rothwell, breeder also of Michael Murphy’s Greenhall Topgear (Lot 42), a four-year-old Emperor Augustus gelding out of a Ghareeb mare.
Lot 52 Shannondale Leroy, gr by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan out of Marge by Ghareeb. The first of two ‘Sarco’ geldings being consigned to the sale by Martin Walsh, this grey is a half-brother to NZB Cascade (CCI3*). Walsh’s home-bred Shannondale Baxter (Lot 79), who is out of the Lux Z mare Shannondale Bambi, is a half-brother to Shannondale Zita (CIC2*).
Lot 55 Inlaws Got Rhythm, b by Sirillio out of Clarkes Quiet Optimistic by Lux Z. This bay, who was fourth in the potential young event horse championship at Dublin, is a half-brother to Castlefield Vegas, one of the country’s top seven-year-old show jumpers. This gelding is being consigned by William McDonnell Jnr and Janet Hollinshead who will also be represented by the Holstein gelding Inlaws Celerino (Lot 81), a bay by Clarimo out of the Calato mare Venus VII. McDonnell and Hollinshead are also selling Inlaws Orinoco (Lot 10), a five-year-old Harlequin du Carel half-brother to the good show hunter Bloomfield Badger (by Puissance).
Lot 56 Forever Best, gr by OBOS Quality 004 out of Best Friends Girl by Best Of The Bests. Being consigned by leading young horse producer D.J. O’Sullivan, this grey is out of a thoroughbred mare who finished third and fourth in two of her three runs in bumpers.
Lot 57 Rehy Revelation, b by Ars Vivendi out of Drumbane Lady by Harlequin du Carel. The first of two lots being consigned by the Russell family, this bay qualified for the potential young event horse championship at Dublin. His stable-companion, Rehy Investor (Lot 70), a brown gelding by Orestus out of the Rimilis mare Graigueahesia Jewel, is a full-brother to the five-year-old Rehy Warrior who has 26 British Eventing FP points.
Lot 58 Unnamed, b by One Sundance Kid out of Cruising Valley by Cruising. The first of a trio of three-year-olds geldings being consigned by Frank Casey, this bay is out of a full-sister to Direct Cruising (CIC2*) and to Shirwell Scarlett Ribbons (305 SJI points). Ballyknock Casey (Lot 61), who is by Araglin Clover Cruise, is out of a thoroughbred mare by Milan, while the unnamed liver chesnut by Harlequin du Carel, Lot 75, is a half-brother to the 2015 Dubarry Burghley young event horse champion Cavalier Crystal (CIC2*). The pair are out of the Cavalier Royale mare Cavalier Iris, a full-sister to Another Cavalier (CCI4*). A partnership of Tom and Frank Casey is selling Kilmanahan Vivendi (Lot 68), an Ars Vivendi gelding out of Ballydonagh Ruby (by Urlingford) who is dam of the Quiletto gelding Before Time (CCI3*).
Lot 59 Unnamed, br by Sligo Candy Boy out of Clover Lighting by Clover Hill. Alan Roche’s gelding is a half-brother to the former six-year-old show jumping champion Im One Cool Cookie (by VDL Arkansas) and the eventing and show jumping stallion Lassban Clover Roller (by High Roller).
Lot 60 Unnamed, b by Dignified van’t Zorgvliet out of Rose Garland by Mr H VII. Consigned by J.J. Bowe, this gelding, who carries a lot of thoroughbred blood, is out of a champion show mare.
Lot 63 Darogue Rebel, b by Silvano out of Darogue Lass by Rich Rebel. Vicky Foster’s gelding was champion young horse at Virginia show this year.
Lot 66 Borris Harley, ch by Harlequin du Carel out of Borris Breezy by Kings Master. Breda Skelton’s home-bred is out of a three-parts sister to ODT Master Rose (CCI4*) and Bally Doolin (CCI2*).
Lot 82 Unnamed, b by OBOS Quality 004 out of Borris Pride by Master Imp. Gordan Hogan’s bay is out of a half-sister to the Sunny Boy gelding OCS Electric Clover Boy (CIC3*).
Lot 2 Match My Class (by VDL Arkansas) is selected for the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale (Photo: Tadhg Ryan)
Address: Barnadown and Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey, Co Wexford
Telephone: 059-9775145/087-2569496
Email: info@goresbridge.com
Website: www.goresbridgegoforgold.com
Dates: At Barnadown – Starting at 2pm on Monday, November 13th, Lots 2 to 45 (four-year-olds and upwards) will be shown on the flat and over show jumps, in numerical order, in the all-weather arenas; starting at 11am on Tuesday, November 14th, Lots 2 to 45 will be shown, in numerical order, over cross-country and, from 2pm, Lots 46 to 82 (three-year-olds) will be paraded in hand in the all-weather jumping arena; starting at 11am on Wednesday, November 15th, Lots 46 to 82 will be lunged or loose jumped.
Amber Springs Hotel – Starting at 5pm on Wednesday, November 15th, there will be an hour-long champagne reception which will be followed by the auction and gala dinner
Numbers: Three six-year-olds, 16 five-year-olds, 25 four-year-olds and 37 three-year-olds
Total lots: 81
Last year’s top lot: Glenpatrick Stables’ Cornascriebe Glenpatrick, 6yo b g by Womanizer (dam by Cavalier Royale) €160,000