SPORT horse action returns to Goresbridge next week, where just shy of 600 lots are due to come under the hammer over three days. Twelve months ago, this renewal was notable for producing some of the best returns of the year and, by offering this bumper catalogue, connections will be hoping for more of the same. Kicking off on Wednesday, the edition opens with a full session dedicated to ponies, both performance and Connemaras. The remaining two days will proceed in age order and, appearing among those forward on Thursday is a strong selection of proven jumpers, including the useful Dundrum Candy Cruise. The final group of three and four-year-olds is also attractive and features some outstandingly-bred individuals, such as an immediate relation to Ballypatrick Flight (1.50m) and BP First Editions (1.60m), as well as a sibling to the top event horse Cooley Moonshine (CCI4*).
For the third year in succession, the Kennedy brothers’ inmate Vivant Van de Heffinck clearly leads the way with 21 lots forward, while Sligo Candy Boy (11), Coolkeerin (6) and Tyson (6) are also well supported.
Ponies
Lot 47 MS Golden Girl, reg 9 yo b m 12.2hh (breeding unrecorded). One of the early stand outs is this performance pony from the smallest height group. Fully warranted, and with a career total of 212 SJI points, she is a top pony and described as an ideal candidate for the RDS Grade A qualifiers. In addition, she is a successful working hunter competitor, having been well-placed at the RDS last year. A regular at Pony Club including the national championships, she also landed the Sports Pony Challenge title last year.
Lot 48 Abervalley Charmer, reg 9 yo gr g 12 hands by Blanche Drandee out of Shamrocklake Cherries Clever Dream (Shamrocklake Royal Heart). Another small performer, Charmer is a successful individual who has been placed in HOYS qualifiers, and who competed successfully in the winter leagues with a seven-year-old child. On the lead rein, he claimed the IPS M and M lead rein pony of the year last season.
Lot 90 Glencroft Galway Girl, reg 6 yo b m 14.2hh by Glencroft Euronote (Cl 1) out of Corbeagh Allure (Moores Clover). This mare could be one for the future, with 14 SJI points. An ideal candidate for the six and seven-year-old classes, this fully-warranted mare has competed in pony club activities, has evented and hunter trialled.
Connemara Ponies
Lot 109 Crannaghmore Alfie, reg 5 yo gr g 14.2hh by Knightbridge Prince out of Granogoe Blondie (Granahan Champ). Sporting class 1 breeding on both sides of the pedigree, the fully-warranted Alfie has competed in the Stepping Stones series, has attended pony club camp/rallies and has hunted with the Bree and Wexford Foxhounds for two seasons.
Lot 119 Springwell Rian, reg 6 yo gr g 148cm by Rosscon Abbey Tom Boy (Cl 1) out of Manniard Miss Polo (Ciun Smoke). A highly-successful pony, Rian has been placed in ridden and WH IPS classes last year and was crowned the reserve champion Novice M and M at the IPS Hunter Show. Bred to perform, he is a full-brother to top performance mare Dunabbey and maternal brother to the 2017 RDS performance challenge winner Dandini.
Lot 145 Ballinruane Diamond, reg 10 yo dn m 12.2hh by Black Shadow (Cl1) out of Ballinruane Pearl (Cl 1) by Mirahs Oyster Bandit. A top performance Connemara, this mare has clocked up a total of 57 SJI points. Described as having tremendous scope and quick off the ground, she has the potential to compete at 1.10m level.
Competition Horses
Lot 181 Killeenhousestud BGK, reg 7 yo br g 16.2hh by Future Trend out of Abbie Lady (Abdullah). Described as a rare type, this slowly-produced gelding has hunter trialled and evented to win 2 EI points. Boasting a fantastic temperament and outstanding paces, he has evented up to 1.10m level to score in his low 20s on the flat and is always clear across the country. Now qualified for CCI2*-S with the current rider, he recently qualified for the Balmoral six/seven-year-old Performance class.
Lot 183 The Ladies Choice, reg 8 yo b g 16.2hh by OBOS Quality out of Rockville Star (Kings Master). A talented event/show horse, The Ladies Choice has won three EI events (EI 80-90cm) and gained top results in working hunter classes at Balmoral and the RDS. Thought ideal for an ambitious amateur or professional.
Lot 197 Dondale Omega, reg 6 yo b m 16.1hh by Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest out of Claire Z (Chellano Z). This mare competed at the RDS as a four-year-old and has since clocked up 22 SJI points.
Lot 204 Dundrum Candy Cruise, reg 5 yo b g 16.1hh by Sligo Candy Boy out of Dundrum Winter Cruise (Night Cruise). A smart gelding with 35 SJI points, he was placed in his age final at Mullingar last year, and qualified for both the Rising Stars final and the Eventing Ireland Young Horse final. A genuine, straightforward horse with a fantastic attitude.
Lot 261 Rothschild De Brandegem, reg 9 yo ch g 16.2hh by Richiebourg out of Freike (Acorado). A well-campaigned horse with jumping form in France, Belgium and Ireland, this gelding has competed to 1.40m level with 6 SJI points. Now competing in 1.20m classes, he is thought suitable for a rider who wants to jump at 1.15/1.20m level or a professional to build him back up to 1.30m.
Lot 283 Lovely Postara, reg 9 yo br m 16.2hh by Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest out of Postara (Heartbreaker). Having competed up to 1.35m level and clocking up 89 SJI points, this mare is considered to be an ideal candidate for the upcoming 1.25/1.30m young rider RDS qualifiers.
Lot 308 Mr Clover de Muze, reg 9 yo b g 16.2hh by I’m Special de Muze out of Five Star Clover (Clover Hill). The winner of 57 SJI points to date, this experienced gelding has competed to 1.35m and was successful in the Puissance at Cavan. Balanced and honest, he is thought suitable for a range of riders.
Lot 325 KS Kodiac, reg 5 yo b m 16.2hh by KMS Rooney Van de Veldbaile out of Kahlo (Orestus). Home-bred, the fully-warranted Kodiac delivered double clear rounds in both her qualifiers and the final at The Irish Breeders’ Classic last year. Her dam competed to 1.35m level.
Lot 560 is a half brother to Cooley Moonshine who won the silver medal in the seven-year-old championship at the 2019 FEI World Breeding Championships in Le Lion d'Angers with Liz Halliday \ Libby Law Photography
Hunters and all-rounders
Lot 189 The Diamond Daler, reg 7 yo ro g 15.2hh by Dunsandle Diamond out of Golden Eye Clover (Gurraun Golden Eye). A three-parts Irish Draught, this classy all-rounder has hunted all season with the Donegal Harriers and the Fermanagh Harriers, proving a capable and mannerly conveyance. He has also visited the Holestone Bloodhounds, and is described as a ‘joy to be out on’. He has also competed in unaffiliated show jumping classes up to 1.10m, as well as local working hunter, showing and hunter trials.
Lot 234 Ceatharlia V Elon, reg 5 yo b g 16.2hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of Lucy Luz (Lux Z). Quiet in all respects, this versatile gelding has hunted with the Duhallow Foxhounds for two seasons. He has also competed at registered shows to gain 3 SJI points to date.
Lot 319 Monemore Silver, reg 5 yo gr g 16.1hh by Lock Key out of Baltydaniel Princess (Fast Silver). This fully-warranted Irish Draught has hunted with the Scarteen hounds both at the front and the rear of the field. He has also been used as a hireling and will have schooled over show jumps by time of sale.
Four- and three-year-olds
Lot 434 Saphira, reg 4 yo b f 16.1hh by Chaplin out of Insigne (Eldorado Van de Zeshoek). One from a regular sale-topping consignor, this filly carries a super pedigree. A sibling to the Dylan Savage-partnered Mon Bijou (1.40m), her dam is a sister to the stallion Tresor (1.50m), as well as to four horses jumping at 1.45m.
Lot 436 Sleehaun Dreamer, reg 4 yo b g 16 hands by Manniard Abel out of Shapes of Water (Loughehoe Guy). A fully-warranted winner of the Eventing Ireland Western Region Starter Series in Tubberbride, this gelding has schooled cross-country, has hunted with the Longford Harriers and always tries to please.
Lot 468 Money Zara, reg 4 yo b f 16 hands by HHS Cornet out of OBOS Nancy Broone. Out of the prolific brood mare Nancy Broone, this filly is a sibling to numerous event horses and jumpers, including OBOS Take One (CCI4*) and OBOS Impressiv (CCI4*). She is broken and riding and ready to continue her journey to the top.
Lot 523 Unnamed, reg 4 yo b g 16.1hh by Jorado out of BP Flight (Ars Vivendi). Hailing from a world-class blacktype family, this beautifully-related gelding is bred to perform. A half-brother to BP Dancing Light (1.40m) his dam is sister to Ballypatrick Flight (1.50m), BP First Editions (1.60m), BP Limitless (1.50m), while the third dam bred MHS Going Global (1.60m). He is currently jumping a track of fences and has schooled cross-country.
Lot 544 Lisleagh Leo, reg 3 yo bl g 16.1hh by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve out of Galwaybay Charolette (Cornet Obolensky). Attractively-bred gelding, whose dam is a half-sister to Galwaybay Penelope (1.50m), dam of Galwaybay Sparkie (1.45m). Also to Evita (1.50m), Chablis (1.40m) and Galwaybay Anika, dam of the 2025 Breeders’ Classic five-year-old winner Galwaybay Jim. Likely to excel in any sphere.
Lot 560 Unnamed, reg 3 yo br g 16.1hh by Vittorio out of Kilpatrick Duchess (Kings Master). Carrying around 60% thoroughbred blood, this well-related gelding is a half-brother to Cooley Moonshine (Elizabeth Halliday), who as a seven-year-old was reserve World Young Horse event champion at Le Lion D’Angers in 2019 and latterly competed at CCI4*.
Lot 591 Galwaybay Reventon, reg 3 yo b g 16.1hh by Balou du Reventon out of Luibantas (Askoll Peter Pan). An exceptionally well-related youngster, whose dam is a sibling to the Nations Cup mare Luibanta (1.60m), as well as to the American-based Tibantos (1.40m).