THREE lively days of trade were recorded at the May renewal of the Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden, with eight lots realising five-figure sums and the sale topper going for €12,500.

Of the 632 entries, 493 went through the ring with 409 sold for a very healthy 83% clearance rate, up from 73% at the same sale last year. Of those, 148 were sold to online bidders, with in-house statistics showing the Clifden sales had its highest-ever online audience and highest online number of bidders from the UK, when compared to previous sales.

UK bidders won 113 lots with a further 33 heading to Benelux countries, eight to France, seven to Norway, seven to Sweden, four to Germany and one pony is off to the United States.

Not unusually, Belgian outfit SDV Horses were responsible for the highest number of successful bids, ending the three days with 33 lots on their books.

Burke Bloodstock was successful in securing 26 lots, while Patrick Gorman and Hannah Taylor proved consistent buyers once more with 19 lots won. Jason Sweeney signed the dockets for 14 lots, while Niall Daly secured 11 and Gerty Tynan went home with 10. Kieran O’Conor bought nine lots, Darren Walsh bought eight and Harold Lusk and Tom Vaughan bought seven apiece.

Ann DeCourcey, manager of the sales, said she was very pleased with the weekend, especially with the turnover and the presence of new buyers - including a Norwegian family, who bought five ponies including a stallion.

“We also had a trio over from Germany, who hadn’t been here before and they bought two, and two ladies from Andorra who bought four,” she said.

“Online traffic was also terrific, there was a buyer for every pony, and the market for the non-pure-bred ponies was remarkably strong too. It all augurs very well for our August sale.”

Top-priced Connemaras

There were joint sale toppers among the pure-bred Connemaras at €11,000. One was lot 124, Treen Robbin, a 16hh five-year-old dun gelding by Racecourse Bobby out of Treen Millie. Broken and riding, he was described as having an easy temperament with experience in show jumping, cross-country, hunting and hacking. Consigned by Ronan Curran, he was secured by O’Gorman and Taylor for €11,000. The other was lot 226, Knightsbridge Philip, another five-year-old gelding, a 15.2hh bay by Bohola Mirah out of French Melody. Also broken and riding, he was described as having jumping and cross-country experience, good to hack and very quiet to show, load and wash. Consigned by Franki Marroit, he was bought by Kieran Egan.

Lot 33, Fortruane Golden Explosion, was the highest-priced mare of the sale at €10,000. By Rocklawn Elvis, she is a 148cm dun out of Meelickisland Festy Lass, a half-sister to FEI pony Fortruane Dexglen Belle. She was described as riding well, schooled cross-country and having competed at training shows. Consigned by Michael Harrington, she was sold to Line Becker of Norway.

Also attracting a top bid of €10,000 was lot 244, Dromore Sonnie, a four-year-old 15.2hh dun gelding by Glenmore Mirah Patrick out of April Sky. Described as a traditional-type dun gelding, full of presence and with experience hunting, show jumping and showing, he was consigned by Shirley Cox and was bought by Darren Walsh.

Karen Ednie from the UK paid €9,500 for lot 343, Kilmainham Pigeon, a six-year-old 15hh bay gelding by Moonlight Silver Shadow out of Gowna Gloria. Consigned by Jane Kinsella, he was described as an easy pony in every way, with the potential to perform at a high level in the show ring.

Lot 43, Micheal’s Lad, attracted just shy of that amount at €9,400. A four-year-old 148cm grey gelding by Lissroe Charlie out of Coolcom Ally, he was described as broken and riding well with three lovely paces and an exceptional temperament. Consigned by Mikey Looney, he was sold to Joe Kettleboro from the UK.

The second highest-priced mare was lot 321, Seafield Kinmara, a 15hh grey six-year-old by former Supreme Clifden Champion Drumbad Fletcher Moss out of Seafield Aurora (Curraghmore Cashel). Kinmara has been successful in the show ring, including a Clifden show placing as a two-year-old. She was described as being ridden by a teenager, having competed in show jumping and cross-country events and with a gentle temperament. Consigned by Tracey Buckley, she was sold to Jean Sharratt of the UK for €9,000.

Lot 384, Clonguish Fredrick, an eight-year-old 148cm bay by Lough Melvin Gorteen out of Clonchanard Angel, also realised €9,000. Described as a gent of a pony, who has been used in a riding school for two years and quiet and genuine in every way, he was consigned by Joan Fallon Walsh and was sold to Padraig Quinn.

Attracting €8,800 was lot 273, Killeton Blizzard Lady, a five-year-old 147cm grey mare by Grade A RDS performance champion Brock Blizzard out of Cityview Linsfort Last Lady. Shown successfully as a foal, she was described as having been professionally broken and showing great promise with a willing attitude. Consigned by Carol Kiernan, she was sold to Burke Bloodstock.

Rounding out the top 10 at €8,700 was lot 400, Monaghanstown Billy, a 148cm grey seven-year-old gelding by Tempo Cashel out of Monaghanstown Megan. Consigned by Lorraine Harris, he was sold to Rose Dempsey.

Lot 177, Captain Mcguire, made €12,500, the overall highest price of the sale \ Rynes Walker

Overall sale topper

Four non-Connemaras realised five-figure sums over the weekend, with the overall sale topper among them. This was lot 177, Captain McGuire, a four-year-old piebald gelding standing 15.2hh. This attractive cob was described as broken and riding nicely with cross-country experience and a kind and sensible sort. He was consigned by Brendan Noone and was sold for €12,500 to Clifden farrier Bryan O’Halloran, who also signed the docket for the next highest-priced lot in this category. This was lot 175, Otis, a four-year-old 15.2hh black gelding consigned by Mark Whelan with no breeding recorded. Also broken and riding, he was described as easy to do everything with and a sort that would make an ideal hunter, riding club or all-round horse. Otis went for €10,500.

Lot 160, Dandy, a five-year-old 15.2hh dun gelding by Prince Richard out of Sunny Sunshine fetched €10,200. Described as a super athletic type and well hunted with the Fermanagh Harriers, Dandy was consigned by Emilie-Jane Sheridan and was sold to O’Gorman and Taylor.

Lot 228, Lara, a 15.2hh grey eight-year-old mare by the thoroughbred Road to Happiness out of L’Tara’s Valerie was sold for €10,000 to Olivia Rathcliffe of the UK. Lara was described as being very quiet, very brave and with lots of potential.

New sale

While the next three-day sale at the Clifden complex will be the hotly-anticipated August sale that runs in conjunction with the Connemara Pony Show, Clifden, a new sale has recently been added to the calendar.

This will be a special three-year-old loose jumping sale taking place on Saturday, September 19th in conjunction with the usual September Sale. The entry fee is €100 and loose jumping will be livestreamed in the sand arena from 1pm with the sale to begin at 5pm.

All ponies must be vetted for the sale. There will be three selection days with the top 10 ponies from each venue qualifying and two ponies named reserve.

The selection dates are: Duffys Equestrian Centre, July 1st, Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre, TBC, Midlands Connemara Pony Show, July 26th. Entry fee for the selection days is €25.