WHILE not as lively as in previous years, trade at the Goresbridge Supreme sale of show jumping foals, held at the Irish Breeders’ Classic last Sunday, delivered a top return of €24,000 for an embryo and, equalling the 2018 top figure, €18,000 for a foal.
Overall, however, it was a rather divided affair which, disappointingly, produced just three five figure returns from the 14 (15 catalogued) who came forward.
More positively though, it was accompanied by a much improved clearance rate of 71% (52% in 2018) together with a similar average of €10,350 (€10,633).
The latter figure was, however, significantly boosted by the top two prices and those aside, the returns to the majority of vendor/breeders was modest. Reflecting on the afternoon’s trade, a pragmatic Martin Donohoe commented: “I’m happy enough with the clearance, but I obviously would have liked to see a lot more foals making bigger prices.”
Sale topper
Not for the first time at an Irish foal auction the sale-topping figure went to an embryo in utero, this one by Chacco-Blue and offered by Belgian breeder Pieter Goyvaerts.
Selling as the first lot, the embryo garnered considerable interest and after a lively exchange of bids, was eventually secured by local show jumping owner David Cullen.
Proprietor of the Seafield House Stud in nearby Gorey, Cullen has been steadily building up a herd of youngsters, the eldest of which is now seven years old.
He was the proud co-owner (with Ronan Rothwell) of BP First Edition who won the five-year-olds in the RDS in 2017, and only last week he saw Jack Ryan pilot his own Filouandra to head the seven and eight-year-final at the Irish Breeders Classic.
Speaking on Cullen’s behalf, Marguerite Ryan explained his interest the embryo. “It was two-fold,” she said.
“We know the vendor Pieter, and David was very keen to have a Chacco-Blue. We also all watched videos and were impressed by his three-year-old full-brother who has recently been approved by the BWP stud book.”
Importantly, and another reason for buying an embryo, the foal will be born in Ireland making it eligible for an Irish passport.
The sire needs no introduction, while the dam, Folie Van Essene, has bred both the aforementioned colt Q’Chacco Blue Van Essene and also Jolie Van Essene D15 (1.35m).
The second dam meanwhile, Sari Van Essene, bred numerous noted performers including the Darragh Kenny-piloted multiple Grand Prix winner Extra Van Essene (1.60m).
Top pick on paper
The buzz from the sale of the embryo carried forward to the second lot which, consigned by Co Clare breeder John Mulconroy, changed hands for €18,000.
An eye-catching colt, and one of the catalogue picks both on paper and in the flesh, he was by Air Jordan and is the third foal out of the Irish-campaigned show jumper Diamonds For Douglas (1.50m).
A regular on the home Grand Prix circuit when campaigned by Alex Butler and Joan Greene, she retired to stud at the age of 10.
She was also well-remembered by successful purchaser Melanie Davidson, who commented afterwards: “I had no intention of buying a foal today at all, but having noticed the dam’s name in the catalogue, I remembered her and used to jump against her.
“I even dropped out of the bidding at one stage, but my husband phoned me at the right time and persuaded me to go on.”
Well-related, the second dam, Coevers Diamond Sister (Diamond Lad), also bred the RDS winner Tick Tock Tina (1.40m) and Ark Diamond (1.30m).
“I was lucky to have two genuine buyers interested in him,” remarked breeder John Mulconroy. “I bought the dam as a yearling, and over the years we have had great times with her especially in the big classes and at the RDS.”
Now safely back in foal to Air Jordan, the dam also has a three-year-old filly which Mulconroy has covered with Flexible and intends to jump in age classes the year after the foal is weaned.
Steady
Prices steadied at this stage, but still selling well, Joe Allen’s colt (4) by last year’s sale topping sire Cornet Obolensky realised €9,500 when knocked down to producer and trainer Michael Condon.
The final five-figure price, however, at €10,000 went to the GBBS Int Ltd’s stoutly-bred colt (7) by Luidam out of Diamond Jubilee.
Hailing from one of Ireland’s most recognisable show jumping families, the dam is a lightly competed half-sibling to the Shane Breen-ridden Mullaghdrin Gold Rain (1.60m) as well as Untouchable (1.60m) and Mullaghdrin Touch The Stars (1.60m), both partnered by Jessie Drea.
There are a further four siblings jumping to 1.30m, while moving back a generation other names to feature are Betty Grigia (1.50m) Pasha Del Baroncio (1.40m) and the event horse Possible Mission (CIC3*).
Show jumper Ger O’Neill was at the business end of the proceedings for this one, eventually signing on behalf of the UK-based Cassidy Sport Horses.
Among the remainder to make an impact was Mary McShane’s filly by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve out of the breeder-campaigned dam MMS Camilla (Camiro de Haar Z).
This looked well bought at €9,000 by Gorey buyer Pat Kavanagh, while Martin Egan paid €8,500 for Anne Dixon’s colt (6) by Jorado out of the very well-related continentally-bred dam Erola Anna P (Warrant).
As the sale drew to its conclusion, Co Galway breeder/owner Richard Bourns secured the Connolly Stud Farm’s colt (10) by Vivant out of the good dam line of CSF Tell Of Clover for €8,000.
The remaining prices ranged from between €4,000 to €7,000.
TOP PRICES
• Pieter Goyvaerts’ 2020 EMBRYO by Chacco-Blue out of Folie Van Essence (Nonstop), €24,000.
• John Mulconroy’s colt foal by Air Jordan out of Diamonds For Douglas (Ard VDL Douglas), €18,000
• GBBS Int Ltd colt foal by Luidam out of Diamond Jubilee (Clover Brigade), €10,000.
• Joe Allen’s colt foal by Cornet Obolensky out of gypsy Lady (Kannan), €9,500.
• Mary McShane’s filly foal by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve out of Mme Camilla (Camiro De Haar Z), €9,000.
• Anne Dixon’s colt foal by Jorado out of Erola Anna P (Warrant) €8,500.