For the second sale in succession, a healthy set of returns illustrated the improving strength in the sport horse market. Business over the opening two days was especially good, and although it dropped for the final session of three and four-year-olds, the figures produced an overall clearance rate of 65% (56% in 2013). Demand for the older horses was especially competitive, with the result that the clearance swelled to 73% and 38 lots in the age group realised in excess of €4,000.

“It’s been a very good sale,” commented Martin Donohoe. “I’m very satisfied with the trade for older stock and the clearance of them. We’ve now had two good sales in a row which indicates that things would seem to be on the up – and good for everyone in the business. There were lots of customers here. I often wonder to myself where all the private UK buyers come from and it’s fantastic to see them. Overall, it caps a good week for Goresbridge, following the news that four of our graduates have filled the British Nations Cup show jumping team in Odense.”

On the same theme, show jumpers with form were keenly sought after, and among them was Paraic Kelly’s Captain Clovaliers Artist (122) by The Artist who topped the sale at €8,800. Bought as a foal, the seven-year-old had been quietly produced to win 50 SJI points and had hunted with the Galway Blazers. Not over big, but appearing very rideable, he had been sourced as a foal by his vendor, whose father Christy stands the sire.

Once in the sale ring, bidding was brisk, and drew to a conclusion when Scottish show jumping owner James Brogan eventually outbid English dealer John Whinnett. “I thought he was by far the best horse here today and his background was genuine,” stated Brogan. “He’s been successful in 1.20m classes so I’ve bought him for my daughter who will carry on at that level and compete in Foxhunter and Grade C competitions in Scotland.”

Several buyers cited the online videos as a very helpful pre-sales aid, and none more so than visiting Yorkshire buyer Helen White. The businesswoman and event rider had spotted Thistledown Stud’s Compo (212) online, before progressing to buy him at €8,200. “I was able to see him in action at a competition and I could tell that he looked rideable and had plenty of blood,” commented White, who had to battle hard to secure the five-year-old. “I gather that the underbidders had done the same so I’m surprised that more people don’t take up the option.”

Compo was a well-marked coloured gelding by Heatherville King out of the winning point-to-point mare Wherezroy by Carlingford Castle. Bought last summer, he was very well produced by David Furlong who had competed him in the Stepping Stones league.

COMPETITIVE DEMAND

Despite their strong numerical presence, as well as enjoying an advantageous sterling rate, British customers did not have things entirely their own way. Co Meath buyer Michael Kelly picked up several over the three days, including Glen Knipe’s well-related Cool Jim (71), at €8,000. Well showcased by Gemma Phelan, the Sharifabad sired five-year-old had been campaigned in young event horse classes and was placed fourth in the middleweight classes (four-year-old) at the RDS and Balmoral last year. Well-related, he is a half-brother to the international event horse Westwinds El Divo and two other proven performers.

The gelding was one of 23 horses to realise in excess of €5,000 – a figure which was similar to that of 12 months ago. Among the others to sell well were Tom O’Riorden’s five-year-old dun (302), a gelding who had been well hunted with the Woodstown Harriers. Johnny Widger prepped this smart individual who was secured by Shane Carter via a telephone bid at €7,600. Bought as a general all rounder, Carter had viewed the gelding earlier in the day but had left to catch a flight home.

One with an event career mapped out is William Kennedy’s homebred five-year-old Bucks Prince, a gelding by Ars Vivendi (252) out of Bucks Hill. Another benefiting from David Furlong’s production in Co Wexford, the gelding showcased well and look shrewdly bought at €7,500 by Leicestershire owner Stephen Rains.

It was disappointing, but not surprising, to see a slower trade for the younger horses. Producing a clearance rate of 54% the stock just failed to impress, especially in the three-year-old sector.

One who did stand out to realise €7,200 was the four-year-old sale topper by Lux Z out of Kyle Diamond Rose, by Coolcorran Cool Diamond. Ridden and produced by show jumper Liam O’Meara, he was snapped up by Leicestershire’s Graham Smith. Well-related, he is a half-brother to the smart Rossmore Clover, placed fourth in the Discovery class at Millstreet last year. “He will be produced on by Holly Gillot,” said Smith. “He was very light on his feet and if he doesn’t make a jumper, then he can go eventing. I paid twice as much here recently for one and I think this is a nicer model.”

More at home on the racecourse than at Goresbridge, it was good to see Irish Grand National winning jockey Andrew Thornton at the ringside to sign for a smart son of Mermus R (496) for €6,000. Bred by Justin Burke, he had been quietly produced and is now heading to Scottish show jumping rider Harry Rogers.

Just seven three-year-olds changed hands from the 16 on offer, the best of which at €2,500 was a gelding (506) by Wivollet Van Beek (dam by Master Imp) who was knocked down to Tomas Doyle at €2,500.

As usual, ponies opened the first day, and although prices were middle of the road, six of the 22 sold creditably realised in excess of €3,000. The five-year-old Connemara pony FC Moycullen Melody (42) by Gurteen Rebel was the best of these, when secured by Pat Murphy for €3,600.

It is rare that a display of pre-sale jumping raises a round of applause, so a special mention should go to 10-year-old Andy Burke-Ott, who ably piloted the 15.2hh Gooseberry Hill Kwazi (173) to jump an impressive fence at the top of the wings. This feat attracted a number of buyers to the ringside and was rewarded by a €5,600 sale by Athlone man Jim Derwin.