TRADE for Connemara Ponies is staying the course as the year goes on, as evidenced at the Connemara Pony Sales’ three-day sale in Clifden last weekend.
With an impressive entry of 717 ponies, it ended with a 73% clearance rate, up from the same sale last year (64%), and, while the top price of €13,000 fell short of the corresponding sale last year (€15,800), eight ponies were sold for five-figure sums.
In total, 141 are destined for new homes overseas and the UK market continues to dominate, with 87 sold to British buyers, including eight of the top 20 lots. 38 ponies will go to Benelux countries, six to Sweden, five to Germany and four to France. In a sales first, one is off to Israel.
There was great interest in the vast improvements to the sales complex at the Clifden venue, which also serves as a mart for livestock animals. The big draw over the weekend was the recently completed outdoor sand arena which stands at a massive 60m x 45m, completed by Niall Smyth Equestrian Construction.
Ann de Courcey, Connemara Pony Sales manager, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to offer the new arena to our vendors to showcase their ponies. It was a push to get it ready in time and we thank Niall Smyth Equestrian Construction for that.
“Friday was the day for riding ponies and all day long we had people out there jumping and showing off their pony’s paces. It was wonderful to see and we got great feedback from buyers and sellers.
“We were very happy overall with the sale, the prices were strong and the clearance rate was particularly high. Friday was especially good and the ponies who had been produced to a high standard and had plenty of mileage were making really good money and there is an abundance of demand for them. We noticed a bigger interest from the UK this weekend and online buyers were very active, some who had never bought wth us before.
“It was also very pleasing to see increased efforts in the turnout and handling of unbroken and younger stock, it was clear that the well-prepared ponies did better in the ring.”
John Sweeney, owner of the Connemara Pony Sales Clifden, Niall Smyth of Niall Smyth Equestrian Construction and auctioneer Noel Corcoran in the new arena at the Connemara Pony Sales Clifden last Sunday \ Rynes Walker
Sale-topper
The aforementioned sale topper was Killea Hero (Lot 359), a six-year-old 154cm gelding by Killea Island out of Ashbrook Beaut (Glencarrig Prince), who was sold to sales regular Gerty Tynan for €13,000. This pony came to sales exceptionally prepared by the Diamonds of Renvyle, with experience in show jumping, cross-country and working hunter events.
In the ribbons at numerous shows and having qualified for Balmoral Show and participated in Dublin Horse Show qualifiers, he was a catalogue standout.
Tynan said it was this pony’s mileage that attracted her to him. “He had a lot done with him, and done well, and being a six-year-old too that helps as it can be hard to get an older pony,” she said.
“It’s also hard to get them that genuine and he was a really genuine pony.
“I would hope he will go on to a buyer in Hong Kong. There is a strong market there, we’ve been sending ponies there for a few years now and it’s going well, we just sent eight over last weekend in fact.”
Tynan was also the lucky buyer of the third-highest priced pony, Stephen Russell’s 15.1hh dun gelding Illane Bambi (Lot 78), a four-year-old by Woodhaven Jacky out of Illane Lily.
Illane Bambi was described as a stunning pony with an excellent temperament and a smart individual with great potential as an all-rounder. He went for €10,400.
“I do like the duns,” said Tynan. “And this one was a proper traditional type, a good stamp with a leg in each corner and he would make a great working hunter. I’d say he will sell to the UK because they generally have a preference for that type.”
Tynan signed for her third pony within the top 10 lots when giving €10,000 for Sarah O’Donnell’s dun gelding Darbey Dun (Lot 70), a 147cm four-year-old by Cleggan Bay Tower out of Tawin Ballinvoucher. Darbey Dun, a half-brother to a 1.30m SJI pony, has been broken and riding and has started unregistered jumping.
“He was a very nice pony and seemed to have a great jump, the lady who had him did a really nice job on him,” Tynan said.
Of the improvements at the venue Tynan said: “The arena is very impressive and helps when viewing a pony. Clifden is the place to bring a Connemara for sale, it’s the home of the Connemara and it’s a holiday for everyone as well, so we are delighted to see the investment in the facilities like the arena and the stables.”
Top 10
The second highest price of €10,500 was paid for Aisling McGreal’s grey gelding Zuma Prince (Lot 187), a 15.2hh five-year-old by Slackport Prince out of Drymills Beauty. Zuma Prince was described as a top-class pony with a brilliant temperament, excelling in flatwork, show jumping and cross-country. Ciaran O’Neill (UK) signed the docket on this impressive pony.
Noel Mahon’s Rathkeery Misty (Lot 412), a six-year-old 149cm Class 1 mare by Moyvoon Star and out of Ballinasloe Arielle was the top-priced mare at €10,200. Rathkeery Misty has 18 SJI points and has competed in ridden and in-hand classes.
She was described as a good quality mare with a bright future, able to hack out alone or in company, and with a lovely temperament. Philip Hannigan signed the docket for this lot.
Lot 412, Rathkeery Misty, made €10,200 and was the highest priced mare at the Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden last Saturday \ Rynes Walker
John McLoughlin paid €10,100 for Edel Dunne’s gelding Lisnagot Max (Lot 711), a 15.3hh six-year-old gelding by Glencarrig Oscar out of Derryveeney Mandy (Drymills Bridgeboy). Lisnagot Max is broken and riding, and was described as excelling in cross-country and show jumping, with the potential to excel in any discipline.
Another €10,000 was paid for Mark Condron’s bay gelding Rathvaldron Gwennic I (Lot 111), a 148cm home-bred by Gwennic de Goariva out of Miss Harp. Rathvaldron Gwennic I is broken and riding, has been schooled cross-country and was described as having a pleasant temperament and an eagerness to please. Niall Daly was the lucky buyer here.
The final five-figure pony of the weekend was Richard Doyle’s bay gelding Cloonard Mac Bobby (Lot 178), a 153cm four-year-old by Bog Mac Bobby out of Cloonard Pop. Cloonard Mac Bobby was described as quiet, easy to handle, and jumping around a course of fences. He went to Adam Lesley (UK) for €10,000.
The ninth and 10th highest priced ponies both went to Niall Daly for €9,800. One was Stephanie Mills’ mare, Beechmount Deirdre (Lot 31), a 148cm grey by Dooneen Supermatch out of Starlight Butterfly. Beechmount Deirdre, known as Poppy, was described as a professionally-broken pony with a great show record, consistently placing in the ribbons and even taking reserve champion.
The other was Mark Mulry’s roan gelding Teach Mór Braveheart (Lot 144), a 15.1hh by Thorgal De L’Aubier out of Glanmore Lillian. Teach Mór Braveheart was described as broken and riding, excelling in indoor and outdoor shows as well as cross-country.
Younger stock
Topping the three-year-old market was Paul Devane’s dun mare Hilladoon Lass (Lot 636) by Rocklawn Hercules out of Chinjoes Glory. Hilladoon Lass is the granddaughter of Silver Shadow and has all Class 1 breeding in her pedigree. She went to Oliver Scollan for €8,000.
Gerty Tynan paid €6,200 for Edel Dunne’s palomino Porchavodda Diamond (Lot 712), a 16hh mare (breeding not recorded) and David Russell paid €5,900 for Una Joyce’s bay filly (Lot 232) by Hans out of Cushglora Lillian.
With regard to yearlings, Rebecca Goulding (UK) paid €3,000 for Sean Gavin’s dun colt Lettershanna Levi (Lot 578) by Prince Richard out of Lettershanna Rose (Hannah’s Only Dun).
Kevin Scollan paid €2,700 for Patrick McNamara’s dun filly Churchtown Chancer (Lot 522) by Duffy’s Woman out of Knockboy Beauty and Kevin Reilly paid €2,600 for Michael Flanagan’s dun colt Annaghbay Tom (Lot 565) by Bohola Mirah out of Galloon Noinin.