A STRONG online presence contributed to a lively trade at Cavan last Wednesday, from which a healthy 76% of the 151 lots forward changed hands.
Running late into the evening, the one-day performance sale of ridden horses was headed by Stacey Watling’s smart jumping mare RRH Luidams Princess who, at €12,000 was one of three lots to record a five figure return.
Trade was solid and satisfactory rather than headline making, with the result that the average of €5,030 virtually mirrored that of 2024 (€5,015).
Sale topper
The multi-tasking Stacey Watling, who juggles life with her young daughter Harley alongside her own horse transport business/sales and jumping yard, enjoyed a highly successful day at the office, when RHH Princess (Lot 98) landed the day’s top return of €12,000.
A daughter of Luidam out of the event mare Portphilip Queen (Ekstein), the six-year-old had been in Watling’s Strabane yard for three years. As a yard favourite, she has competed in a variety of disciplines and in show jumping has clocked up 10 SJI points.
“She belongs to Jordan Coyle’s owner Stella Manship who lives in America,” explained Watling. “I have had several horses for her over the years and this mare came to me as a youngster to break and produce. Unfortunately, she’s not big enough for Jordan, which is why she was sold. She’s a super kind mare and ideal for an amateur.”
The mare looks to have found her perfect home with new owner Lauren McGlennon who lives not too far away in Co Down. A trainee nurse, McGlennon is hoping to compete her new purchase in the young rider show jumping and event classes, with the aim of qualifying for the RDS.
“I wasn’t really looking at her, but her jump caught my eye and then the temperament,” she remarked. “When she went into the ring I actually thought I would have to pay more for her - so I got lucky and I think it was meant to be!”
Notables
Older horses with mileage commanded a premium so, at €10,600, Michael Browne’s Connemara cross Sinatra Frank (Lot 124) was typical of the type selling well. Although he is believed to be by the Connemara sire Sinatra, the grey carried no recorded breeding and was sourced from Drumshanbo mart as a yearling.
Well ridden on the day by David Boland, the five-year-old had successfully competed in numerous show classes as well as training shows, cross country and had hunted. “He’s always in the ribbons,” commented the delighted Ballina vendor. “We only ever have two or three at home at any one time, with the idea of selling one a year.”
Another seasoned performer was Seamus Madden’s Grade A jumper Maverick (Lot 51), a 13-year-old gelding by Diamant de Semilly out of Beluga, by Heartbreaker. Bred by John Renwick in the UK, the 13-year-old had competed to date under young rider Jill Greene and at €10,000 was secured on the telephone by Jordan Coyle.
Maverick (Lot 51) was sold to international show jumper Jordan Coyle for €10,000 at the Cavan August sale
Castleblayney producer Tom Hearne (TR Sport Horses) always has a nice horse and did well when his unnamed eight-year-old (Lot 67) by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet changed hands at €9,600. Bred by Francis Connors out of the 1.30m jumping mare Miss Cruising Lux (Olympic Lux), Hearne bought the gelding about six months ago. In the interim, he had produced him through the unaffiliated ranks and described him “as a real eye catcher with a super temperament”.
Signing the docket for this individual was Worcestershire-based riding school owner Mark Bayliss. A regular at the venue, Bayliss commented: “I’ve bought him for my wife Claire Pendleton to show jump. There was a good selection here today, and I’m delighted to have secured him.”
Selling for the same figure was Willie Shanahan’s Lux Out For Sligo (Lot 105), a five-year-old mare by Sligo Candy Boy out of Lux Alert (Lux Z). A sibling to the useful 1.30m jumper BT Tyson Alert and the winner of 11 SJI points in classes up to 1.25m, she was secured by Eugene Breslin Horse Transport.
Four-year-olds
In comparison to the older stock, prices in the four-year-old sector were modest. One who did buck the trend however was Fergal Harfords’s eye-catching gelding (Lot 168) who looked well bought by John McLoughlin for €9,600.
Standing just 160cms, the dun was sourced as a three-year-old, and had been quietly produced by his Carnross based vendor.
“I have had most of the family, and have retained a three-year-old sister to sell next year,” said Harford.
“They are all super genuine and are by a cob stallion out of a black half-bred mare. I put him on the market at €9,500 and hoped he would run into much more but overall I’m happy enough.”
Next in line at €8,400 was Keith Wilson’s unnamed four-year-old filly (Lot 174) by the Connemara pony 3DR Gabha Oir. Standing 158cms, the palomino was knocked down to EVS Bloodstock.
Lot 168 was the top priced four-year-old at Wednesday's Cavan sale when sold for €9,600
Ponies
At €6,500 the top pony return fell to Jim Woods’ seven-year-old dun mare Duna Angel (Lot 44). Standing 148cms and with no recorded breeding, she was secured by an Irish cash customer.
Top returns