OLDER HORSES

THE concept of selling high profile, proven performance horses at public auction is a relatively new one in Ireland, but one that is fast gaining legs. The specialist sales are the obvious platform for these individuals, and this year the entries (and consequently the end of year tables) were influenced by several show jumpers from abroad.

Now in its third year, the Goresbridge Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers delivered another raft of high prices but this was offset by a disappointing clearance. Making the headlines to top the sale at €460,000 was Carl Hanley’s nine-year-old mare Nickoletta E (Nintender) who, under Cameron Hanley and Eoin McMahon, was a major winner in Ireland and on the continent. Bred by Ernst Jurgen, the sale-topper was knocked down to Irish buyers Neal Fearon and Michael Kearns, while at €270,000, American customer Adrienne Dixon signed for John Kearney and Hugh Martin’s (KM Sport Horses) newly crowned six-year-old Lanaken world champion Killossery Kaiden (Lux Z). The latter will remain on home turf where he will be campaigned by Rio Olympian Greg Broderick.

Records were smashed the following evening, when Glenpatrick Sport Horse’s Cornascriebe Glenpatrick by Womanizer (dam by Cavalier Royale) topped the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale for event horses at €160,000. Ridden by his owner Harold Megahey, the Carol Armstrong-bred six-year-old had represented Ireland at Le Lion d’Angers the previous month, and after an exciting duel, was knocked down to Robin Dumas, on behalf of Somerset-based Ellie Guy Eventing. It was later revealed that Dumas’ daughter, British international Millie Dumas, will take the ride

WHILE the figures for older horses sired by continental sires have stabilised, the prices for those sired by Irish Sport sires and thoroughbred stallions gained ground in 2016.

Matthew Birch’s Irish-produced Cruise On-sired show jumper Mise Le Meas headed the ISH at the Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers, when he was knocked down to Canadian buyer, and former owner of Going Global, Lee Kruger for €80,000.

At the general sales in the country, demand for the older stock was steady throughout the year and the market for warranted, up-to-weight hunters held up well. Competition horses dominated the better trade however, and heading the older horse tables at a healthy €20,000 was Lorraine Maher’s home-bred Derrylackey Heartbreaker. Sold at Cavan in June, the seven-year-old son of Eurocommerce Pittsburgh looked every inch a sale-topper and looked well bought by Co Laois buyer Tom Hutchinson.