ON the back of some notably solid trade this year, a consequential influx of entries has seen next week’s summer edition at Goresbridge extended to four days. The catalogue of around 750 lots is nearly double that of 12 months ago, allowing ponies, older stock, four and three-year-olds to each have standalone days of trading.
The older horse sector appears especially stout, with Gerard Clarke’s recent Ballivor National Grand Prix winner L spearheading a large number of graded jumpers and event horses. Others to catch the eye in this sector include the smart international performer Cool Garcon (1.40m), as well as the promising Lackaghmore Zirocco (1.30m).
As usual, the renewal kicks off with a strong selection of ponies. With a catalogue of around 150 lots, the ponies fill the day’s business on Tuesday, offering a wide selection of both performance and leisure stock.
Wednesday’s selection of older horses also appears stout on paper, while on the final two days, there are some very attractive pedigrees among the four and then three-year-old horses. Featuring in number are some very well-related individuals, as well as plenty with current mileage.
Statistically, Vivant Van De Heffinck (21) heads the list of covering sires, closely followed by fellow Kennedy inmate Lagans OBOS Quality and newcomer Conticco with 17 apiece.
Tuesday (Ponies)
Lot 17 Rossdarragh Clashreagh Sia, reg 7 yo gr m 14.2hh by Rossdarragh Hip Hop out of Rossdarragh Faye (Garrison Royale). The first of numerous competition ponies catalogued, Sia is the winner of 31 SJI points. Competing in 1.20m classes, she has low mileage under rules. She is considered to have great potential for the top tracks and is for sale as her current rider is outgrown.
Lot 85 McEvoy Ned, reg 5 yo gr g 13.2hh by Teach Mor King. The winner of the 138cm Millstreet Young Irelander last year, this fully warranted pony is schooling well and now ready to be produced to the next level.
Lot 101 Dark Note, reg 5 yo b g 14.2hh. One for the future could be this smart gelding, who has already competed in the Western Region starter eventing league. A lovely event type, he was placed third in two of his qualifiers, and sixth in the finals. He rides exceptionally well on the flat and is likely to have a big future.
Lot 122 Tooreigh Trix, reg 5 yo b g 12.2hh. An ideal conveyance for the smallest of competitive riders, Trix has competed in pony club and at training shows. In addition, he has been very successful in working hunter classes in which he is a Northern Ireland Festival winner. He has also qualified for the Alice Mernagh pony club series and the Pony Club eventing championships.
Lot 717 Budore Victoria, reg 9 yo ch m 14hh. One from the supplementary catalogue, Victoria won the Connaught Novice 138cm championship last year. In the same year, she also qualified for the Interprovincial Finals at Barnadown and the National Pony championships. She now has a career total of 170 SJI points.
Lot 721 Willow Grove Lady, reg 7 yo b m 13.2hh. This very experienced grade A pony has racked up 209 SJI points. She has competed at all of the top shows, as well as representing Ireland in the Tetrathlon championships. She has hunted with the Galway Blazers for the past two seasons, and could also make a top eventing starter stakes and or working hunter/ HOYS pony.
Wednesday (Older Horses)
Lot 143 Flamenco Time, reg 7 yo ch g 17hh by Je T’aime Flamenco out of Funnytime (Heritage Fortunas). Slowly produced to 1.25m level, this gelding has now won 162 SJI points. He has been jumping in age classes for the past few months, delivering clear rounds on the CSI Azelhof 1* spring tour this year. A good mover, he could further progress as a jumper or an event horse.
Lot 145 CCS Henry Higgins, reg 8 yo gr g 15.1hh by Anbally Storm out of Hollyfort Dreamer (Heigh Ho Dubh). A cob of the highest class, and typical of the sort in demand, Henry Higgins is described as having an abundance of talent in many disciplines. He was placed fourth in the lightweight cob class at the RDS and won the cob working hunter at Balmoral last year. He has also show jumped, competed in dressage competitions and cross-country.
Lot 165 Willis, reg 9 yo ch g 16.3hh by Luidam out of Wexfo DEC DO (Cloudings). Amateur and professionally ridden, this smart gelding has enjoyed taking part in numerous riding club activities, as well as having a record under both SJI and EI rules. In show jumping, he has competed to 1.10m level to win 3 SJI points, while in eventing he has run in EI110 classes.
Lot 194 CBI Daenerys, reg 5 yo b m 16.3hh by Chacco Blue 11 out of CSF Karina (Kroongraaf). Smartly-related, this mare is an obvious broodmare prospect when her competing days are over. Quiet in all respects and currently competing in training shows, she is out of a sibling to the 1.50m jumpers CSF Royal Cruz and CSF Mr Kroon. Another sister, Sera Vue jumped at 1.45m level, while CSF Sir George was a silver medallist at the World Young horse Championships.
Lot 218 Cool Garcon, reg 9 yo ch g 16.3hh by Mermus R out of Rathnure Ruby (Ballinvella). With FEI International placings in 1.40m classes (2* and 3* level) in Oliva Nova, Spain, this high-class gelding was prominent in his age classes on the Irish circuit and also a campaigner on the Grand Prix circuit. Fully warranted, he is an easy ride and a top prospect.
Lot 219 L, reg 9 yo b g 16.3hh by Action Breaker out of Quidame St Z (Quidam de Revel). Possibly the standout in the catalogue and offered by a regular sale-topping vendor, L is the recent winner of the premier Ballivor National Grand Prix. The winner of 87 SJI points, he is described as an uncomplicated ride, suitable for an amateur or a professional and one that will progress to greater heights in 1.50m classes at the least. FEI registered and ready to go.
Lot 250 Lackaghmore Zirocco, reg 7 yo gr g 18hh by Zirocco Blue out of Bagirah (Cormint). Currently competing in his age classes up to 1.30m level, this smart young gelding is the winner of 146 SJI points and is ready to progress further.
Lot 260 Upsala Thor, reg 5 yo bl m 17hh by Brunetti out of Mattae Van’t Merelsnest (Nabab de Reve). Beautifully bred, this mare has been given time to mature. A top horse in the making and easy in all respects, she is out of a half-sister to Pandito Van’t Merelsnest (1.60m). Described as a real star in the making.
Lot 278 Kiltimagh Humbert, reg 5 yo ch g 16.2hh by Cloneyhea Spellbound out of Sedona Lady (Clonakilty Hero). This classy ID gelding has won numerous showing championships as a three-year-old, and subsequently under saddle. He has also successfully competed in working hunter classes, all riding club activities and has hunted with the Meath Foxhounds.
Lot 340 Sunhill de Revel, reg 7 yo b m 16.1hh by Carrick Quidam de Revel out of Ownagarry Rose (Windsor Knot). A highly competitive fun mare with good form under Eventing Ireland rules. Carrying a very clean record, she has clocked up numerous double clears and top six placings at levels up to and including EI 110, many of these when ridden by a junior.
Thursday (Four-Year-Olds)
Lot 375 Patron of Keros, reg 4 yo b g 16.2hh by Cornado 11 out of Kayop Van Het Gravenhof (For Pleasure). One from a large consignment from a regular sale-topping vendor, this well-related gelding is fully warranted in all respects. By the 1.60m performer Cornado 11, his dam is a sibling to the legendary show jumping gold medallist Hello Sanctos.
Lot 421 Unnamed, reg 4 yo b f 16.2hh by Conticco out of Olympic Beauty (Olympic Lux). Hailing from a damline that needs little introduction, this filly is out of a full-sister to the Shane Breen-partnered Camblin (1.60m) and a half-sister to Dorada (1.60m) and the event horse Halltown Harley (5*). This filly herself is a half-sister to RC Lux Vivendi (1.50m) and RC Olympic Trend (1.20m), both ridden by Joanna Clarke. Just broken, this filly is showing a brilliant attitude and a willingness to please.
Lot 442 Chiquita Van Overis, reg 4 yo b f 16.1hh by Colorit Z out of Pronto Van Overis Z (Pablo Van Berkenbroek). Carrying a five-star pedigree, this filly is out of a smart 1.45m performer, and is a half-sibling to Crocky Van Overis (1.60m) and Vagabond Van Overis (1.25m). This filly is registered with the SJI and has gained 1 point from her only outing under rules.
Lot 443 Jessies Golden Boy, reg 4 yo ch g 16.2hh by Acorad 3 out of Pretty Pelly (Red Navajo). Already showing great potential, this gelding has successfully competed in the Eventing Ireland Western Region qualifiers and final. He has performed well at training shows and is proving to be excellent across the country.
Lot 469 Unnamed, reg 4 yo ch g 16.2hh by OBOS Quality out of Pirate Fairy (Cruising). An attractively-bred gelding with lots of ability, this is a home-bred full-brother to the Irish army-ridden Carrigsoir (1.50m), to the Ryan Page-campaigned KBS Pirate Princess (1.40m) and the CCI3* event horse KBS Curious Quality.
Friday (Three-Year-Olds)
Lot 578 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16.3hh by Lagans OBOS Quality out of Russels Girl (Russel). A well-related half-brother to the versatile Mermus Russel (1.30m and CCI2*), as well as to the Grand Prix jumper Boherdeal Russel (1.40m).
Lot 616 Newmarket Epsilon, reg 3 yo gr g 16.2hh by Upsilon out of Newmarket Annie (Newmarket Venture). Bred in the purple to event, this gelding is by the former world young event horse champion Upsilon out of a full-sister to Annie Clover (CCI5*, Nicola Wilson), as well as to a further four international event horses.
Lot 696 TWS Lagan Quality, reg 3 yo b f 15.3hh by Lagans OBOS Quality out of Shannondale Secret (Shannondale Sarco|). Beautifully bred to either show jump or event, this filly is a half-sister to Lisdeen Quality (1.30m). Her dam (1.30m) is a half-sister to Lux Harmony (1.50m) and to the event horses Shannondale Icarus (CCI4*), Shannondale Mel (CCI3*) and several other internationally-graded performers.
Michael Donohoe & Sons.
Address: Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny.
Telephone: 059-9775145. Fax 059-9775541
Email: info@goresbridge.com
Web: www.irishhorse.com
Date: July 1-4th 2025
Time: 10.30am.
Tuesday: Ponies.
Wednesday: Older horses.
Thursday: Four-year-olds.
Friday: Three-year-olds.
Total lots. 721 plus supplementary catalogue.
Top lot 2024. Claire Nulty’s Nuet, six-year-old gelding by Don Diablo HX (dam by Quick Lauro Z) €18,500.