CLOSING the year on a solid note, Cavan’s final performance sale of 2025 delivered a set of returns very similar to those of 12 months ago.
Although the sale-topping figures fell short, the edition demonstrated a strong demand for quiet riding stock, which led to a clearance of 77% (75% in 2024) together with an average of €4,960 (€5,507). Trade customers dominated the proceedings with horses and ponies heading not only to the UK, but also to Belgium and Sweden.
Sale topper
An obvious standout in the catalogue, Darcey Fehnert’s 13-year-old show jumper Mexx Van Het Groene Dak (Lot 33) fulfilled his ranking by topping the sale at €12,000. Belgian-bred by I’m Special de Muze out of Esprit (Vincenzo Van’t Merelsnest), he was imported as a three-year-old and bought by his vendor five years ago.
He was described as a very forgiving individual who will look after himself and, with a career total of 55 SJI points in classes up to 1.30m level, he looked to be a perfect schoolmaster. “He’s taken me from 90cm classes right through to 1.30m,” said his Armagh-based owner. “I’m sad to see him go, but I’m off to university next year and won’t have time to compete. He’s so straightforward and brave and I’m really pleased to learn that he will be campaigning the Children On Horses classes in England next year.”
The gelding was secured by a Co Meath trader, who confirmed that he will be travelling to the UK.
Older notables
Another standout on paper was Marie Helene Finegan’s Hollyrock Dannyboy (Lot 62), a six-year-old gelding by Mountain Diamond out of Biggeras Crest (Sea Crest). Bred by Peter Reilly and sourced in Co Galway two years ago, Dannyboy was the winner of numerous working hunter championships, as well as the performance Irish Draught class at Balmoral last year.
Home-produced by his vendor with help from Victoria Teuton, he had also taken part in riding club activities, hunter trials, eventing, hunting and show jumping.
“He’s very easy and straightforward,” said the Carlanstown-based Finegan.
“There was a lot of interest, so I hoped he’d make a bit more, but I have a young horse coming on, and I have a one in one out policy!”
Co Sligo-based trader Tiernan Grey added this smart individual to his tally of nine horses, appearing to have bought him well at €11,200.
Grey also signed the docket for Brian McCauley’s well-related Larkhill Maiden Cruise (Lot 51) at €10,200. Home-bred, this seven-year-old Grade B jumping mare counts the international performers Larkhill Cruiser and Larkhill Cruisette as siblings and, by the Cruising clone Cruising Encore, is out of Dunadry Lady (Crosstown Dancer).
A valuable breeding prospect when her competition days are over, she has been campaigned to date to win 153 SJI points under Charlotte Harding.
Four-year-olds
A lively demand for four-year-olds saw two individuals realise a five-figure return, while a number of others changed hands between €5,000 and €8,000.
Topping the group at a healthy €10,700 was Willie Lapsley’s Altaskin Moy (Lot 109), a four-year-old filly by Beach Ball out of Altaskin Arkan (Arkan).
Already the winner of 7 SJI points, she is a home-bred sister to the promising young jumper Altaskin Omerta and was knocked down to Devon producers Candy and Geoff Martin.
Also selling well at €10,000 was Michael Reilly’s Luie (Lot 105), a son of Luidam out of Newtown Arkansas (VDL Arkansas). Bought as a foal from his breeder Denise Prendergast, the gelding was broken last year and initially produced by Sean Glynn. In recent months, Amy McKenna took over the ride and produced him for the sale.
“I can’t recommend Amy highly enough - she is an up-and-coming star,” commented the Longford-based vendor. “We have given this horse plenty of time, as the Luidam’s can be later to mature. He’s a rare type and a stamp hard to find these days.”
Jim Derwin was the successful buyer of this smart lot, whose back breeding features Clover Hill and Ballinvella.
Reilly enjoyed a good day at the office when a few lots later, his similarly produced My Churchview George (Lot 127), by Hos D’O, was another knocked down to British producer Candy Martin for €8,000.
Both Irish and British traders were a force to be reckoned with and it was Yorkshire’s Graham Sugden who paid €9,800 for Sarah Quinn’s versatile five-year-old Bannerhill Galactic Guy (Lot 78) by Loughehoe Guy. Traditionally bred by Deirdre Lynch, and described as the ‘ultimate all-rounder’, he was out of the Luke Skywalker-sired Goldsmithcountry Stardust.
Three-year-olds
Seventeen of the younger age group found new homes, with the best return of €7,500 falling to Conor Fallon’s Chacan (Lot 150), a home-bred three-year-old gelding by the 1.50m jumping sire Mr Quincy B out of Monard Pandora (Radolin).
British customer Debra Palmer accounted for this individual, while Gabriel Slattery was on hand to buy the piebald mare Lisas Royale (Lot 143) by Ricardo Royale for €6,100.
Ponies
Steady, but in general perhaps not as strong as usual, the pony sector delivered a very applaudable top return of €9,000. This fell to Keith Wilson’s smart Belgian-bound Harry (Lot 23), a brilliantly marketed 145cm gelding with no recorded breeding.
Wilson is a master of pre-sale advertising, and his social media video of this cob with his young son Luke on board was pure gold.
Next in line at €6,000, and one of three to break the €5,000 mark, was Lackaghmore Bobbi (Lot 9) a home-bred six-year-old mare by Lackaghmore Dester out of Lackaghmore Royale (Lackaghmore Avatar).
Lightly broken and shown in-hand last year, she was another heading for the Co Sligo yard of Tiernan Gray.
Cavan continued with two days of sales on Thursday and Friday and full results and a report will appear in next week’s edition.
Top returns