TWELVE months ago, the foal sale at Goresbridge was cited as being the venue’s strongest foal renewal for a decade, delivering significantly improved figures all round. Interestingly in these uncertain times, last week’s returns not only matched those of last year, but produced a slightly better average.
Overall, the €12,000 sale-topping price equalled that of 2019, as did the clearance of 55%. The average meanwhile hiked marginally to €2,948 (€2,716), while a total of 15 lots (16 in 2019) realised in excess of €5,000. Reflecting on the two-day trade Martin Donohoe commented: “In the scheme of things, I’m happy. The figures speak for themselves and there were plenty of good prices. The clearance of 55% was satisfactory, and while we would obviously have liked to have sold more, the foal market is always more limited.”
The sale was, as always, somewhat two-tier, divided into those with black-type performance pedigrees and others aiming for different markets. Although slow to gather momentum, the trade for the former picked up well, especially for those individuals with first generation success.
The middle market was tough at times due largely, according to the pundits and the pinhookers, as “the foal everyone is trying to buy is scarce.” These producers, who sell as three-year-olds, are extremely selective putting their main emphasis on model, blood and good movement.
Although those with more traditional breeding were in the minority, there were customers on hand for the better produced among them. The first cross of continental blood widely appealed, while the prices for those bred entirely on traditional lines also improved.
Sale-topper
Recognised for their professional production, sale-topping Scarva breeders Louise and Paul Dillon were well represented by an Emerald Van’t Ruytershof sired colt (Lot 212) out of the jumping mare Cheetah Z (Cobra).
A chesnut with four white stockings, and a distinctive white splash, the colt turned heads from the outset, before he was eventually secured for the day’s best price of €12,000. Piloted by the vendor, the dam Cheetah Z, by Cobra, enjoyed a good competitive career and, having jumped at the RDS in both the four- and five-year-old finals, she retired to stud the following year.
She has since bred five foals, and carrying a solid pedigree, is out of the good mare Nellie (1.40m), by Irco Mena, and a sibling to two graded jumpers.
The tussle for ownership was a lively one, which ended when the hammer fell in favour of delighted Italian buyer Martina Romagnoli (SCL Haras De Ligny). A regular to these shores, Romagnoli has show jumpers with both Francis Connors and Darragh Ryan, and intends to leave the colt in Ireland to be produced.
Saturday
Although a little slow to pick up pace, Saturday’s trade closed on a high to deliver a 58% clearance at an improved average of €3,639.
It was the strongest day in terms of pedigrees as well as prices, and another to stand out was John J Cummins Brockaghfield Jay (Lot 240), a well-related colt by Hardrock VDL out of CFS Olympic Dream (Flexible). Beautifully bred, he is the third foal out of the dam, who is a half-sister to Olympic Cruz (1.45m) and closely related to CFS Olympic Lady (1.50m), Point Two Elvis (1.50m) and Clarkes Ferro (1.60m).
Changing hands for a healthy €9,700 late in the day, this good-moving colt was knocked down to New Ross show jumper and breeder Catriona Redmond. “I hadn’t really intended to buy anything, but I was interested to see the progeny of Hardrock VDL as I have been considering using him on my mares,” she remarked afterwards. “I loved this colt’s movement, and look forward to producing him.”
Cummins’ colt was a late foal, as was Patrick Connolly’s August born CFS Delta (Lot 182), a filly by Cornerado VDL out of CSF Princess Doorn (Glocks Princes des Vaux). Selling earlier in the session for €7,800, this charming filly was knocked down to Kylemore Stud’s Ivor and Olive Broderick.
Well-related, the dam is a sibling to no less than five international jumpers, while the sire (by Cornet Obolensky) is the Broderick’s highly rated four-year-old show jumper Cornerado VDL ridden by Vincent Byrne. “I like the bit of French blood on the dam’s side, and I thought she was on springs,” said Olive Broderick. “We were lucky with the last one we bought from Patrick, and hope to keep this filly to produce ourselves.”
Familiar pedigrees came up thick and fast, and one that is instantly recognisable is that of Pat Kehoe’s colt (Lot 176) by HHS Cornet out of ABC Diamond Dilemma (Cruising). Among the standouts in the catalogue, this colt is a full-brother to the 2019 sale-topper, while the dam is a full-sister to the former Cavan Classic five-year-old champion Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser.
She in turn is the dam of the Harry Charles-piloted five-star jumper ABC Quantum Cruise (1.60m) as well as ABC Private Jet (1.45m) and ABC Caruso, runner-up in the HSI five-year-old-league.
Bids bounced around the sale ring for this well-bred individual, and although not emulating his sale-topping brother, he was knocked down to Co Wicklow producer Richard Sheane for €7,600. “I saw the three-parts sister jumping in Cavan last week, and liked the fact he’s a very blood foal,” said Sheane.
As the delighted breeder, Kehoe disclosed that the mare has been covered, unsurprisingly, to HHS Cornet. A further two foals realised in excess of €7,000. Saturday also featured a group of pre-selected foals, which ultimately was a bit of a non-event. Just six of the nine catalogued came forward and disappointingly just one sold.
Friday
Friday’s mixed session of foals, yearlings and broodmares was lively enough, and among those to impress was Sean Stafford’s well-grown colt (Lot 59) by Tyson out of the imported mare Witty Luterra C (Lupicor).
The result of an embryo, and accompanied by his quality recipient dam, the colt is a half-brother to Fitty Faline C (1.40m) and three more horses at 1.30m level. His dam is a half-sister to numerous graded jumpers including Ucitty (1.60m) and Cincitty (1.50m). Signing the docket at €7,800 was the Askeaton-based show jumping rider Donal Hayes.
Equally accomplished at producing event horses, and indeed the winner of the Millstreet eventing discovery class a couple of years ago, Hayes is embarking on a new venture of buying foals. “I’m trying to get to the start of the stock,” he explained.
Demand for the broodmares was muted, but bucking the trend, Eamon McArdle’s attractive Drumhowan Bee Gee (Lot 78) changed hands for €7,600. Only a four-year-old, the filly is by the thoroughbred sire Coroner out of Bee Line, by Lux Z, and in foal to McArdle’s resident stallion Corporal VDL. Boasting a stout damline, the mare is a granddaughter of the top Nations Cup mare Cruise Line (1.60m).
Among the yearlings on offer was Michael Colbert’s well-grown filly (Lot 3) by Flexible out of Marions Clover Chip (Chippison). Easily heading the age group at €4,100, she was secured by Co Wexford buyer Ciara O’Reilly.
Those by thoroughbred sires enjoyed a small revival. Michael Murphy’s colt by Island Commander (dam by Womanizer) changed hands €4,500, while on wholly traditional lines, a colt by Greenhall (dam by Emperor Augustus) realised €3,600 and a further four made in excess of €3,000.
Top lots
• Louise Dillon’s colt foal by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (dam by Cobra) €12,000.
• John J Cummins’ colt foal by Hard Rock Z (dam by Flexible) €9,700.
• Patrick Connolly’s filly foal by Cornerado VDL (dam by Glocks Prince des Vaux) €7,800.
• Sean Stafford’s colt foal by Tyson (dam by Lupicor) €7,800.
• Eamon McArdle’s four-year-old mare by Coroner (dam by Lux Z) €7,600.
• Pat Kehoe’s colt foal by HHS Cornet (dam by Cruising) €7,600.