KICKING off the seven-day marathon sale with a top price of €16,000, the pony session at Goresbridge delivered a raft of strong returns. A total of five lots realised five figures during a day’s trading, which was not always plain sailing.
Despite a large crowd, the demand was rather inconsistent, with the result that the clearance slipped to 66%. That said, the quality on offer probably mirrored this, as there were plenty at ringside for the correct individual.
Pony sale topper
Described by successful purchaser Carl Dore as “really impressive”, Tuesday’s sale-topping return of €16,000 went to Dennis Collins’ performance Connemara mare Farmhill Molly (Lot 104) by Kingstown Archies Boy out of Castleside Erica (Castleside Carrig). One from the Connemara sector, the five-year-old grey put on a professional display under the capable Rosie Cahill and, having created plenty of interest, was the subject of a lively tussle for ownership. In the end, however, it was producer Carl Dore who proved the most determined, and accompanied by some Swedish clients, Dore commented: “She jumped unbelievably well. We were really impressed and she was certainly the best we saw all day. We’ll take her home now and the chances are she will head to Sweden.”
Farmhill Molly (Lot 104) was the top priced pony when sold for €16,000 at the Goresbridge September sale \ Sally Parkyn
As the vendor, Dennis Collins, together with his wife Emily, sourced their sale topper as a yearling, lightly producing her through the show ring. She had clocked up mileage in working hunter and performance classes and had headed the Connemara championship at Newmarket on Fergus show last year.
“We always knew she was a very good pony,” said Collins. “Nearly every day she went out, people asked about her.” Equally delighted was rider Rosie Cahill, who added: “I wish I was still in ponies - I would love to have had her.”
Tears
There were more than a few tears shed among some of the pony sellers and, having owned her pony for three years, young Lucy Ryan was especially sad to say goodbye to her seven-year-old mare LSR Trinity (Lot 39). Originally bought for Lucy by her eventing uncle and godfather Michael Ryan, Lucy had produced the 12.2hh bay throughout her career, during which she had hunted with the Scarteen hounds. She had certainly done a good job and, having created much interest, the diminutive mare was knocked down to Cian Melia (CJ Equine) for €11,000.
Lot 39, LSR Trinity, was sold for €11,000 at the Goresbridge September sale \ Sally Parkyn
Selling for the same amount later in the day was Diarmuid Ryan’s BBS Bambi (Lot 73), a jumping pony with 25 SJI points. Bred by Mary Quirke, and ridden by Sarah O’Donnell, the daughter of Olympic Lux put on an impressive display of jumping, before she was snapped up by an online customer.
There appeared to be plenty of buyers on hand for potential jumping ponies, and standing out among these at €10,800 was Larry Costello’s three-year-old home-bred Goodwins June (Lot 93). Costello had bred from the family for several generations and this well-related filly by Carrabis Z was from the maternal family of Glory Days (1.60m), as well as the event horse Goodwins Glory (CCI4*). Thomas Ryan from the Tipperary Equestrian Centre accounted for this talented prospect, while another to sell well from the Connemara division was Liam Qualter’s six-year-old gelding Blackstar Hero (Lot 119). Changing hands for €10,500, Ciaran O’Connor signed for this smart sort who was by the Class 1 sire Blakehill Sparrow out of Hazelrock Zodiac by Fairyhill Paddy.
Although the prices were a little inconsistent, buyers remained at the ringside until the close of play and were plentiful for Norma Lucey’s Legends Champion (Lot 166), a 10-year-old gelding by Lonsdale Legend out of Woodfield Princess by Earl of Newbridge.
Described as a mother and daughter share, but in reality a real family pony, the grey had been ridden by Danny, Jack and Roisin Lucey and had a wealth of RDS-standard mileage. His online sale at €9,200 was obviously a very sad one, as Norma explained: “He’s been such a good servant to us and has been one of the family. We found him in a bog seven years ago, and we’ve all ridden him.
“Sadly, he has now gone as far as he will go for us and it’s now time to bring another youngster through the levels.”
Of the others to shine, John Burke’s five-year-old dun (Lot 36) by Hilltop Buck looked well bought by Carl Dore for €9,800, while a few lots earlier Brian Kuehnle’s Woodstock Van De Vaderhoeve (Lot 32) by Winston Jr was snapped up by Matthew Farrell for €9,000. Changing hands for the same return, Mike Geary’s six-year-old jumping pony Annes Shadows Choice (Lot 86) had clocked up 23 SJI points under Tom Geary and was secured by Burke Bloodstock.
Despite a lively atmosphere, together with strong attendances and a raft of five-figure returns, the trade for older horses softened slightly last week, and it wasn’t surprising. As demand became more selective, the heady returns of the past year were unlikely to be maintained in full and, as a result, the clearance of 65% (79% in 2025) returned to that of two years ago.
On the plus-side, trade remained strong and competitive for the correct individual and the number of horses to achieve five figures (21 lots) was identical to that of 12 months ago. The average of €6,252 (€6,547) also held up well and, reflecting on the opening two days of the renewal, Ed Donohoe commented: “It’s a little bit back to reality and from the magic highs of May and July, but those sales were unprecedented.
“I also think that vendors’ expectations were in line with those sales - and if they wanted to sell, there were loads of people here to do business.”
Sale topper
Heading the opening week at €21,000 was Catherine Jackson-Garrett’s mare (Lot 195) by Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest out of the well-related Kilcorrig Legacy by Sandro Boy. Typical of the type in demand, the home-bred mare had been beautifully produced by Tom Hearne and Ryan O’Neill and, following a lengthy exchange, was secured on the telephone by Darragh McMahon. It was later disclosed that McMahon and his wife had tried the mare a few days earlier and are planning to campaign her through the amateur ranks. A well-bred individual, she is out of a sister to the Jesse Campbell-ridden Cooley Lafitte (CCI5*), as well as to the Grand Prix jumper Kilcorrig Belle (1.40m).
Notables
The majority of the top returns emerged midway through Wednesday’s long session, with Fiona Quinn’s potential eventer/jumper Galwaybay Luke (Lot 259) securing a healthy €20,000. Another to go the distance in a prolonged and lively exchange, the son of Quasimodo Z was finally secured by agent Ollie Hutchinson.
“I’ve bought him for American event owner, Shannon Baker, who is a client of my daughter Kellie,” he explained. “Shannon had seen the video footage and liked the horse and it is probable that Mikey Nolan will now take the ride.”
Only a five-year-old, Galwaybay Luke had been sourced from breeder Justin Burke two years ago and, having been lightly campaigned through the training ranks, he was highly rated by connections. “He has a great temperament, and I’m hoping to see his name in lights in the future,” said producer Shane Goggins.
Fiona Quinn's Galwaybay Luke (Lot 259) was sold to the USA for €20,000 at the Goresbridge September sale \ Sally Parkyn
Trade settled to produce numerous prices hovering around the low five figures, and it was not until Thursday evening that Barbara Clarke’s coloured jumper Castleforbes Isaac (Lot 448) realised the next best price of €14,500. A real eye-catcher with 110 SJI points, the seven-year-old gelding had been campaigned by Gerard Clarke, who only took ownership a few months ago. “He has jumped in the RDS qualifiers and was recently double clear at 1.30m level,” said Clarke.
The lucky buyer was agent Ciaran O’Connor who, busy over the few days, secured the gelding privately after he was initially led out unsold.
Castleforbes Isaac (Lot 448) was sold for €14,500 at the Goresbridge September sale \ Sally Parkyn
Round-up
A further 18 lots smashed the five-figure mark and, at €13,500, the next best return fell to Sarah Moore’s Ganesh Clover (Lot 279), a five-year-old gelding by Ganesh Hero Z out of Ranger by Captain Clover. Another with quiet mileage, he was sourced through the same ring as a three-year-old, since when he was broken by John McGuinness and produced in the young event horse leagues by his owner and John Mulligan. He had also clocked up 15 SJI points, which was a bonus for successful British buyer Ollie Woodward.
“I thought he was a really nice type, and a lovely natured horse in general,” Woodward said. “The plan is to do a bit with him and take it from there.”
Among the numerous lots to realise €13,000 was John Joe O’Connor’s home-bred Emerald Flyer (Lot 206) by Emerald out of Little Miss Butler (Don Juan de las Bouverie). O’Connor has bred from the same family for generations, and this smart chesnut, ably ridden by the incomparable Gemma Phelan, was knocked down to a UK online buyer.
Another home-bred to sell for the same return was Cyril McCauley’s Adelaide Beach (Lot 283), a seven-year-old Beach Ball-sired mare out of She’s The One by Adam 1V. This bay was another from the Tom Hearne/Ryan O’Neill Castleblayney-based production yard and, the winner of 50 SJI points, looked well bought by a busy Carl Dore.
Just a few lots later, the hammer dropped at €13,000 for Fiona Roche’s Carrickview Louisa (Lot 286), a five-year-old mare by Luidam out of C.C.Catch, by Casall. Bred by John Haughey and sourced by her Omagh-based vendor as a foal, she had a current career total of 17 SJI points. This was a sad sale for connections, as Roche explained. “The plan was always to keep her, but my son Michael who rides her has recently qualified as a barrister and has no time to compete,” she said. Agent Victoire Von Schoen signed for this smart mare on behalf of event rider Heidi Hamilton.
During one of the busiest sessions of the two days, the same return also fell to Jean Power’s Ballycreen Zipadee Doo (Lot 293), who was sourced at the venue 18 months ago. Well-produced for sale by Johnny Widger and ridden on the day by event rider Sadbh Bolger, he was knocked down to Yorkshire trader/producer Beth Dyson.
Wednesday’s trading finished late into the evening, but one resolute online buyer was well-rewarded by the acquisition of Jessica Finnegan’s lovely roan mare Wivollets Kentucky Girl (Lot 350) for €12,500. Fully warranted in every way, she had been campaigned by Emma Jackson through the Balmoral and YES young event horse series and had been successful in working hunter classes.
In one of the tightest tussles of the day, the purchase of Gerry Whyte’s home-bred Sleehaun Angel (Lot 327) was finally settled by an online bid from a British buyer at €11,700. An attractive roan mare, the daughter of Ganesh Hero Z was another graduate of the YES series and, sporting a traditional dam’s line, was out of Orclon Star by Star Kingdom.
One trade that has maintained its momentum is the cob and leisure horse market. Attracting premium returns, demand was solid throughout, with several attracting five-figure returns. One stand out among these was Gillian McCarthy’s smashing coloured cob Ted (Lot 252), who was another to be well showcased by Askeaton-based young rider Rosie Cahill. The 15.2hh Ted was described as ‘a cracking cob who deserves every penny of his price’ and, having been in the same ownership since a two-year-old, had been well-hunted with the Limerick, Stonehalls and Co Clare hounds.
Top returns (ponies)
Top returns (older horses)