Top Lots

Aurore Vernois’ Leia De Neve, five-year-old mare by Nouma d’Auzay (dam by Popstar Lozonais) €26,000.

H and J Sporthorses Ltd’s Crossroads Fynn, six-year-old gelding by Tyson (dam by Chippison) €21,000.

DGLS Ltd’s Kinmar Cheeky Boy, 10-year-old gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Erco Van’t Roosakker) €20,000.

Liam Kennedy’s KBS Bunny Bouncer, seven-year-old mare by Vivant Van de Heffinick (dam by OBOS Quality) €17,500.

Shannen Howley’s CLH Candy Spice, five-year-old 14.2hh mare by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Courage 11) €17,000

WHILE there had been plenty of optimism heading into last week’s opening sessions at Goresbridge, few could have predicted that the records smashed 12 months ago would be broken yet again. The two-day sale of ponies and older horses bettered the 2025 results in several quarters, resulting in an increased turnover of €1,653,750 (€1,455,150 in 2025). Enjoying great consistency, 40 (39) individuals smashed the five-figure benchmark, which led in turn to an overall average of €7,067 (€6,915) and clearance of 80% (82%). Breaking these figures down further, the older horses averaged €7,999 (€8,003), while the ponies, who shared the first day of trading, closed at €5,527 (€4,702).

Reflecting on the trade, Ed Donohoe commented: “We were hoping we would be able to match last year - so absolutely delighted to exceed it. It goes to show that, if vendors bring those better horses, they will get paid for them. It is also worth noting that all the better prices went to horses accompanied by a set of x-rays and, while these don’t necessarily need to be perfect, if you want the premium return, you must produce the x-rays.”

Sale topper

Selle Francais registered but home-bred in Ireland, Aurore Vernois’s sale-topping Leia de Neve (Lot 324) has turned heads on more than one occasion. Prominent in the HSI classes as a foal and latterly when competing in France, she impressed again on Wednesday afternoon, when her jumping performance earned her the day’s top return of €26,000. Well ridden by her producer Jen French, the five-year-old came into the sale with a little French show jumping form and, since returning to her native Ireland last autumn, the daughter of the Franke Sloothaak-ridden Nouma d’Auzay (1.50m) has clocked up more mileage under Eventing Ireland rules, having been placed second at Grove. “She has been a pleasure to produce,” said Co Wexford based French, who together with Vernois watched the bids ricochet up the scale. The mare eventually came on the market at €20,000 before the hammer finally dropped in favour of Grace O’Connor at €26,000. Disclosing that she was buying for a client, Co Meath-based O’Connor explained that the mare will remain in Ireland to be produced further for show jumping. “She looked easy, balanced and had a really good canter.”

Older horses

The demand for horses with form seemed insatiable and, adding to the euphoria of Wednesday’s afternoon session, the H and J Sporthorses Ltd-consigned Crossroads Fynn (Lot 320) realised a smart return of €21,000. The Co Wexford producers had sourced the six-year-old gelding in the autumn of 2023, since when he has been given time to mature. Bred by Shane and Heather McCole, the tall son of Tyson is out of Crossroads Miss Chip (Chippison), who in turn goes back to the good event sire, Master Imp. Described by the vendors as a very easy, straightforward and scopey individual, he was snapped up at €21,000 by Ed Donohoe, bidding on the telephone on behalf of Irish Olympian Joseph Murphy. Speaking to The Irish Field soon after, Murphy commented: “I have bought him for my new owner, Carol Young. He came well recommended by Henry Foley (H and K) and, as a six-year-old, I hope we can fast track him a little.”

Just a few lots earlier, DGLS Ltd’s experienced jumper Kinmar Cheeky Boy (Lot 300) changed hands for €20,000. Owned by Adrian Kenny, and campaigned for him by Damian Griffin, the Cillian Marron-bred 10-year-old had clocked up just shy of 80 SJI points in classes up to 1.30m. A sibling to several graded jumpers, including Kinmar Fancy, the gelding was secured by Pat Duffy, an owner of Griffin’s. “I have bought him for my grandson Finn Breen, who is just out of ponies,” explained Duffy. “There is no better man than Damian to produce one, so I loved the way he jumped and his production.”

Staying with the form horses, Liam Kennedy’s seven-year-old home-bred mare KBS Bunny Bouncer (Lot 345) also sold well at €17,500. Rounding off a good week for the Kennedy family, during which their home-produced pony KBS Ciunis had landed the pony Young Irelander at Millstreet, Bunny Bouncer was a proven young rider conveyance who, under Christian Kennedy, had clocked up 92 SJI points. “She is a lovely mare, who could go down any road,” said Kennedy of the daughter of Vivant Van de Heffinck. Agreeing was eventual buyer, Paul Donovan: “I thought she jumped very well and had lots of miles under her belt,” said Donovan. “She’s a versatile sort and where do you find this type of horse when you need them?”

Two lots realised €14,500 apiece, the first of which was Ciara O’Reilly’s CSF Rochelle (Lot 162), a six-year-old daughter of Hardrock Z with 32 SJI points. Initially led out unsold, she was soon snapped up by UK buyer Julia Hardy at €14,500. The second of the duo was Beechfield Stables’ Symphony (Lot 279), a well-related five-year-old gelding by Vivant Van de Heffinck. Bred by Rory Costigan, he was secured by British customer, Janet Trent.

Unfortunately, space does not permit mention of any of the remaining notables, 34 of which returned in excess of €10,000.

Ponies

Kicking off the four-day renewal in style, the pony trade was solid from the outset. Concluding with an increased average of €5,527 (€4,702 in 2025) and a clearance of 77%, the session peaked when Shannen Howley’s CLH Candy Spice (Lot 123) realised €17,000. Sport horse bred, like so many of the top pony performers these days, the five-year-old mare by Sligo Candy Boy had a career total of 57 SJI points under Ella Rush. Bred by Commandant Gerry Flynn out of Swanview Courage Diamond by Courage, she was sourced last year and slowly produced. “Harry and Ella Rush have done a great job with her,” said Howley.

Equally pleased was buyer, Carl Dore, who commented: “ I know Shannen well, I watched the pony all day and thought she actually might have made more. She’s a lovely pony, she had good x-rays and will most likely end up in Sweden.”

Others to sell well were Frank Gordon’s Dreamdew (Lot 20), who was knocked down to Kent trader Louis Simmons for €12,500, Hannah Wood’s Germany-bound Paul’s Choice (Lot 86) at €11,500 and Orla Barrett’s dun (Lot 102), who realised €10,500.

A report on Thursday and Friday’s sale will appear in next week’s edition.