A SEEMINGLY insatiable appetite for competition stock, well-produced ponies and hunters led to a strong opening two days at Goresbridge last week, where two individuals realised more than €20,000 and a further 15 achieved the five-figure benchmark. Posting a turnover just shy of €1,100,000 and with one day still to run, the combined clearance rate of ponies and older stock closed at a very satisfying 80% (73% in 2026), together with an average of €5,820 (€5,851). These figures are on target to better even those from last year’s record-breaking renewal, and prompted Ed Donohoe to comment: “Coming into this sale, we felt that if we were able to achieve the same figures as last year, we would be delighted, but as things stand it looks like we will exceed them. We have had great support, particularly from our UK buyers, and this in turn encourages more vendors to bring forward better horses.”

Sales topper

For the third year in succession, the sale-topping honours at €21,500 fell to Higgins’ Sport Horses, who opened their annual account with Lough Scur Quality Jewel (Lot 240), a five-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality. Owned jointly with top young jumping rider Ruben Foley, this was an impressive individual and, bred by Seamus Tighe, is the sixth progeny out of Lough Scur Sardiamond by Shannondale Sarco. His sale was the subject of a lively four-way tussle. The hammer fell finally in favour of British-based event rider, Gemma Gurvidi. “He’s exactly my type - very flashy, four white legs and with lots of presence,” she said. “The idea will be to produce him with the aim of either finding an owner for me to retain him, or selling him on.”

Older horses

Topping the older horses on Wednesday was Rhys Williams’ Parc Vivace (Lot 128), a home-bred five-year-old by Cornet Obolensky out of Gallorette by Diamant de Semilly. Home-produced in Co Clare and lightly competed in training shows, the grey was knocked down to a British-based cash customer at €20,000.

Following recent trends, quiet riding horses proved hugely popular, and one such example was Simone Hession’s Beezies Big Bouncer (Lot 221), a six-year-old home-bred gelding by Moylough Bouncer out of Beezies Contrast by the Hanoverian Don Primus. Katie Mee was in the saddle to showcase this smart sort, who was secured by Jim Derwin at €16,500. “He’s a very nice sort and rode very well,” he commented afterwards. “If you want to have them, then you have to pay for them.”

Despite a bitterly cold, wet day on Thursday, the good prices were spread evenly with the momentum carrying right through the evening. One who impressed on day two was Ger O’Brien’s RNG Lucky Penny (Lot 211), a six-year-old grey gelding by Cormint out of AFS Penny (Puissance). Having bought the sale topper, Gemma Gurvadi added this useful sort to her list of purchases for €12,500, commenting: “I saw him online before the sale and liked him, but when I saw his head over the door, that really sealed it.” Ridden on the day by Tom O’Shea, Lucky Penny had clocked up 11 SJI points, in classes up to 1.10m.

Making just €300 less at €12,200 was Sean Looney’s CBI Los Angeles (Lot 195). Carrying eventing form under Rena Meagher, the seven-year-old son of Tyson was secured by first-time visitor, Grace Curwen from London.

Finally, at the end of Thursday night, Fiona Sheridan’s five-year-old Medici (Lot 315) sold well at €12,000. Bred by Eoin Fenton, the Chillout-sired Medici had competed in the Stepping Stones series last year, and looked well bought by Victoire Von Schoen on behalf of Hans Nagel.

https://foto.ifj.ie/fotoweb/archives/5006-Irish-Horse-World/Irish%20Horse%20World/top%20pony.jpg.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5006-Irish-Horse-World%2F%3Fq%3Dkate%2520rath%2520doyle

One of the two highest priced ponies at the March Goresbridge sport horse sale was lot 32, Kate Rath Doyle's Bradson Emily, who was bought by a buyer from Czechia for €13,000

Ponies

Setting the ball rolling on Wednesday morning, and delivering a clearance of 82%, was a large selection of 78 ponies. Most were very well produced, with the result that two lots shared the sale-topping honours at €13,000 and another came close to realise €12,700.

First up was Kate Rath Doyle’s Bradson Emily (Lot 32), a six-year-old 148cm mare by Brock Lodge Buster out of Addrigoole Sharpae (by Spiddal Payboy). Bought as a foal, and prepared for sale by Joanne and Henry Foley, this smart sort had been placed third in the All-Ireland filly class at Ballinasloe as a three-year-old and, with virtually all the bids coming in online, she was secured by a buyer from the Czech Republic at €13,000.

Selling for the same amount a few lots later in the session, Thomas Widger’s 148cm six-year-old Q Plus 1 (Lot 52) also impressed.

A recent purchase, and since produced by Matilda Kiviniemi, the eye-catching grey was by the British event team pony Battletown Delight (now gelded) out of a thoroughbred mare by Flemensfirth. “One of the best I’ve ever sat on,” enthused Kiviniemi.

“He’s a beautiful pony and one I’m sure we will hear about in the future.”

Two potential buyers went head-to-head for this gelding, with the hammer eventually falling to the telephone bid of Ed Donohoe on behalf of Swedish customer, Maria Bergstrom.

Greys were certainly the flavour of the day, as yet another attractive sort to achieve €12,700 was Kevin Whelan’s Tempo Jackson (Lot 83), a four-year-old 14.2 hands gelding by Temp Active Atlas out of Tully Rita (Hilltop Orchid). Whelan is a big Connemara supporter and, trading from his home in Duncormick under Crowhill Connemara Ponies, sourced this one as a foal. Another to attract huge interest both online and at ringside, he was produced by Edie Codd and secured online by British customer, Natalya Dobias.

Among the remaining notable returns at €9,000 was Henry Long’s Dancing Dawn (Lot 90), a five-year-old dun mare by Bog Mac Bobby out of Final Dream (Hill of Diamonds). Bath-based trade buyer Hannah Taylor accounted for this lovely roan pony, who had been sourced as a yearling and produced by Pauline Cahill.

A full report of Friday’s four-year-old sale and the Dolmen dispersal sale will appear next week.