OLDER HORSES
UNLIKE the thoroughbred world, the concept of selling high profile, proven performance horses at public auction is a comparatively new one, but one that is sure to grow. The specialist sales are the obvious platform for these individuals, and stepping up several notches from 2014, the second running of the Goresbridge Supreme sale of Show Jumpers delivered a high class catalogue, and corresponding returns.
Creating headlines worldwide, the British-based Nations Cup show jumper Dougie Douglas (VDL Douglas) ridden by Holly Gillott smashed Irish records when selling for €1.4m as did Alexander Butler and Neal Fearon’s highly rated Dekato at €250,000. Bred by John O’Brien out of Neills Girl (High Roller), the sale-topper was knocked down to agent Barry O’Connor, on behalf of American show jumping squad member rider Katie Dinan. His sale marked the start of a lively renewal for the Kilkenny auction house, which also saw John McLaughlin’s Javas Wild Child change hands at a similarly impressive €80,000.
Another record was broken at the Goresbridge Go For Gold event horse sale the following evening. With just one run short of an Olympic qualification, Anne Bannon’s home-bred event mare Gorsehill Pearl (Hermes de Reve) out of Holly Clover (Minstrel Bouncer) was snapped up by international event rider Joseph Murphy at €85,000. The winner of 175 EI points under her former rider Luke Drea, the 10-year-old had won two of her last six runs.
While the figures for older horses sired by continental sires had rocketed in 2015, the tables for those sired by Irish Sport Horse and thoroughbred stallions, remained very much in line with last year. Gaining the 2015 honours at the Go For Gold sale at €40,000 was Oliver Townend and Andew Cawthray’s advanced event horse Peruising, an eight-year-old by Puissance out of Flame and Passion (Cruising), bred by Michael Reck Jnr. He was one of a trio of proven performers consigned by the British-based duo the other to sell was LCC Cooley, a gelding by Ramiro B who realised €35,000.
Heading the thoroughbred table at the same venue (€20,000) was Herbert Rothwell’s novice performer Ballinglen Dreamys Boy ridden and produced by Terence White. By Rock Hopper, and bred by Donal Golan (dam by Clovers Return), the five-year-old had clocked up some solid EI form and was secured by Michael Ryan on behalf of American buyer Sarah Wildasin.
In the country, demand for the older stock was consistently strong, although in general prices received were workmanlike rather than spectacular. The market for warranted, up to weight hunters remained solid throughout the year, while genuine school-masters from any discipline sold well. Competition horses dominated the better trade however, and heading the older horse tables at a healthy €20,000 was James McEvoy’s traditionally bred event horse Lachain All Irish, a son of Laughtons Flight (dam by Cruising) bred by Tom Lenihan in Co Galway. Selling at Goresbridge in July, Paul Larkin had to battle hard for this well produced individual, who was destined for America.