THE opening three days of the Goresbridge September Sale kicked off strongly, when no less than 37 individuals made in excess of €10,000. This was a significant jump from the 2025 figures and, although not matching July’s red-hot trade, the closing returns compared very favourably to those of 12 months ago.
The clearances, averages and turnover all illustrated notable improvements, with 73% (65% in 2025) of the older stock changing hands at an average of €6,985 (€6,252). The opening pony session followed suit to close with a 66% clearance in contrast to 57% last year. This figure was boosted by a particularly strong Connemara division - with demand on fire for those with performance form.
Reflecting on the trade, Ed Donohoe commented: “Taking everything into account, we have to be very happy. Although it felt like things were a bit quieter than last year and perhaps there was not the same buzz, the figures were much better all round. We marketed the sale strongly and, while there were definitely buyers missing due to the fodder crisis in the UK, there was a better clearance and the figures stacked up well.”
Skeltons Kash Out
The sale-topping returns went locally, as Jodie and Emma Skelton landed the older horse figures at a healthy €22,500. The Borris-based pair are no strangers to sale-topping honours and, this time around, it was the upstanding grey Kash Out (Lot 236) who took the spoils.
A five-year-old son of De Capo Z out of the advanced dressage mare Zwota (by Ravel V), he was sourced from Niall Smyth unbroken earlier this year. Despite his age, he was reported as being very good to break in and, in the interim, had competed in a few training shows.
“He’s a super-brave horse, and one of the kindest I’ve ever had,” said Skelton who, together with his veterinary surgeon wife Emma, successfully manages to juggle horse production alongside family, and his own business as a farrier.
Bidding was unsurprisingly competitive for this smart grey, but at the close of play, it was event rider Terence White who signed the docket on behalf of American clients.
”Pure gentleman”
Later in the same session, Pauric Corcoran made the long journey from Co Mayo worthwhile, when his traditionally-bred five-year-old MVF Captain Marvel (Lot 313) changed hands at €21,000. Beautifully presented and very well ridden by Kathy Wilding, the Patrick McGlynn-bred gelding was bought last year and had been well hunted with the North Mayo Harriers.
He was the second recorded progeny out of the King Henry-sired Drumrane Beauty and, described by Corcoran as ‘a pure gentleman’, looked well bought by a very busy Carl Dore. “He’s an absolute smasher,” said Co Limerick-based Dore. “He’s a proper one and rode like a clock. He was also x-rayed, which certainly makes me a braver buyer.”
The session for older horses kicked off very positively early on Wednesday morning, when British producer Annie Dalton paid €20,000 for Boleybawn Horses Ltd’s Veneziano Van’t Merelsnest (Lot 160), a five-year-old gelding by Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve out of Jolente-A Van’t Merelsnest.
Dalton, who was bidding on the telephone through Ed Donohoe, revealed that Ronan Rothwell had recommended the well-related gelding, who had been bought in Europe last year. “I think I was lucky to get him at that price, probably because he was one of the first through the ring,” she said afterwards.
Working hunter
Trade on Thursday continued in much the same vein, with the better-produced performance stock reaping the rewards.
Among the eye-catchers was Virginia Considine’s highly-regarded Totally Dignified (Lot 408) by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet, who sold well at €19,500.
A top working hunter, he had won his RDS qualifier by 10 marks and, under P.J. Casey, was placed third in the middle/heavyweight class at the RDS last month. Bought as a foal from his breeder Hazel Bye, he is the second foal out of Cavalier Silver Joey by Cavalier Royale.
A loyal supporter of the bloodlines, Considine also bought and produced his half-brother Mr Paddington, who, having sold well at the Go For Gold sale a few years ago, was crowned the leading seven-year-old in Italy in 2024.
The grey Totally Dignified was slow to come on the market, but from €16,500 the bids moved rapidly in increments of €500 before the hammer finally fell in favour of British online customer Camilla Southerington.
Leading buyer
As the sale’s leading buyer, Co Limerick agent Carl Dore was never far from ringside. He was a strong contender for both ponies and horses, and looked to have bought well when adding Ronnie Morton’s Blueoak Parker (Lot 208) to his account at €18,500.
A fully-warranted son of Parco out of Kilcannon Cavaquin (by Harlequin du Carel), he had clocked up 54 SJI points in classes up to 1.30m level and had been well hunted with Tynan and Armagh hounds.
Very well related and bred in Co Wexford by Mary Bolger, he is a half-brother to the Tom McEwen-ridden show jumper Kilcannon Mischief (1.50m).
Tom Morton showcased this eye-catcher, who was later described by Dore as being “a real amateur horse, and possibly suited to the Children On Horses classes”.
Moving through the figures, the same pattern emerges. Regular sale-topping producer Tom Hearne (TR Sporthorses) scored again when, acting for owner/breeder Linda Fahey, he presented the well-related Coco Gabrille (Lot 388) by Comthago VDL.
Following a competitive tussle for ownership, the five-year-old mare realised €18,000 when knocked down to telephone buyer Selina Pope.
Another winning telephone bid went the way of Michelle Kenny, whose eight-year-old gelding Naspahr (Lot 316) by Gaspahr changed hands to a cash customer for €16,000. A catalogue pick on paper, Naspahr had evented to CCI2* level, had jumped to win 13 SJI points and, ever versatile, was placed second in the Hunt Master Challenge in Punchestown.
There was a solid demand for quality small horses with Connemara bloodlines, and one such example to sell well at €15,000 was Chloe Roche’s Kilmurray Biscuit (Lot 263), a 15.2hh gelding by Parkroe Lean Dexter out of Kilmurray Fudge (Amigo B).
Sourced as a foal by his vendor, and amateur produced throughout, the grey fitted the bill for North Carolina-based couple Seth and Amber Mabus who, as first-time visitors to the venue, were accompanied by agent Tricia Hoey.
HAVING delivered some of the day’s top prices, the introduction of the Connemara sector on pony day gathers pace every sale and has proved a great success.
Last week in particular, the two top returns emerged from the division, with Emma Cousins’ beautifully-marked dun Battlestown Jake (Lot 139) returning the top honours at €15,500. Ridden on the day by the versatile Bobby Bowe, the Glaskoff Golden Siskin-sired gelding (dam by Doon Ashford Bay) was the subject of a tight bidding tussle, but once again it was Carl Dore who made the final bid.
It was certainly a red letter day for the Co Wexford-based vendor who, having bought three ponies out of a field in Ramsgrange last summer, progressed to sell the remaining two at €9,500 and €7,500. “Outrageous stuff,” she said. “Quite unbelieveable!”
For a while, it looked as though James Cregan’s similarly-bred Gleann Trasna April (Lot 120) might claim the top spot, but in the end, the five-year-old mare by Tra Bhain Ceileog (dam by Robe Dark Knight) had to settle for the next best return at €15,000.
Bought two years ago, the mare showed huge scope and potential and, with mileage across the country, could also event.
“It’s nice to see that Connemara ponies can make prices like this at Goresbridge,” commented Cregan.
Gleann Trasna April is a mare with a great record under leading pony show jumping rider Dylan Cregan and, having placed second in the Millstreet Young Irelander last year, she progressed to accumulate 88 SJI points.
Offered for sale by a regular sale-topping consignor, she carries Class 1 breeding on both sides of her pedigree and is now heading for Sweden in the hands of agent Philip Carey.
“She was a really sweet pony and very well produced,” he said. “Ponies of this calibre don’t come around too often, so when you see one, you have to try to buy them. Some are greener, but if they show the potential, then that’s fine too.”
A busy Carey progressed to buy the second of Emma Cousins’ offerings, namely Battlestown Gentle Knight (Lot 118), for €9,500. This was another ridden by Bobby Bowe who, swapping the racetrack for the show jumping arena, is similarly capable in his summer pastime.
Ponies
Philip Carey also snapped up Kevin Keegan’s smart Newline Quality Time (Lot 41) by Sligo Candy Boy for €14,000. Only a six-year-old, she was bought from the Howley family last year and had been slowly produced.
The Widger family from Co Waterford always have good jumping ponies on offer and were well represented when Sam Widger’s Poynstown Tokyo RS (Lot 39) (by Vivant Van de Heffinck) was secured by an online Belgian buyer at €12,000.
The winner of 76 SJI points to date, the seven-year-old sport horse-bred mare was sourced through the same sale ring last December, and bred by Kieran Kennedy, is out of Dowdstown Royale, by Cavalier Royale.
Of the remaining notables, Jim Derwin paid €10,500 for the Walsh family’s experienced Killisk Ally (Lot 15), as well as securing Barnaboy Smarty Pants by Caherlistrane Sammy (Lot 34) for €10,000.
Overall the ponies sold well. Once again, the better-produced ones with good online videos gained the best rewards, and their contribution led to a clearance of 65% together with an average of €6,026.
Top Returns (Horses)
Jodie Skelton’s Kash Out, 5yo g by De Capo Z (dam by Ravel V) €22,500.
Pauric Corcoran’s MVF Captain Marvel, 6yo g by CC Captain Cruise (dam by King Henry) €21,000.
Boleybawn Horses Ltd’s Veneziano Van’t Merelsnest, 5yo g by Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve (dam by Mr Blue) €20,000.
Virginia Considine’s Totally Dignified, 5yo g by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (dam by Cavalier Royale) €19,500.
Top Returns (Ponies)
Emma Cousins’ Battlestown Jake, 4yo g by Glaskoff Golden Siskin (dam by Doon Ashford Bay) €15,500.
James Cregan’s Gleann Trasna April, 5yo m by Tra Bhain Ceileog (dam by Robe Dark Knight) €15,000.
Kevin Keegan’s Newline Quality Time, 6yo m by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by OBOS Quality) €14,000.
Sam Widger’s Poynstown Tokyo, 7yo m by Vivant Van De Heffinck (dam by Cavalier Royale) €12,000.