THE Connemara Pony Sales ran on Saturday and Sunday with an exciting catalogue, combining a special select three-year-old loose jumping sale with a varied Sunday offering. There were 266 entries and 207 through the ring and 142 sold giving a 68% clearance rate, a drop from the previous year (83%). Some 30 of the lots were won by online bidders. The UK, as usual represented the most active bidders outside Ireland with 32 lots going across the Irish Sea. Three ponies were bound for Belgium, two for Norway and two for France.
Big buying duo Patrick O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor signed the docket on 13 lots, while Gerty Tynan signed for eight and Jim Harbour and Kevin Reilly took home six apiece.
In welcome news to breeders, the top price overall was €11,000 and the top priced Connemara was €10,200, both exceeding that of the same renewal last year (€10,000).
Connemara Pony Sales manager Ann DeCourcey said the team was very pleased with the turnout.
“I thought the market was good and there were plenty of highlights, although it was certainly back on August which was particularly strong. The loose jumping sale was a huge success and we will definitely make that part of the programme each year. Overall the sale augurs well for the October Sale, which is traditionally a foal-dominated sale and for which we already have a huge entry.”
Top 10 Connemaras
Lot 327, Summerdale Croga, fetched the highest price among the registered Connemaras when he went to Padraig Quinn for €10,200. A five-year-old gelding by Rocklawn Elvis out of Sonas An Ghrianain, this 148cm grey is from the family of European ponies Lucky Attyrory Rebel and Greenaun Russell. Consigned by Aishling Feeney, he had been jumped, hacked out and schooled cross country prior to his sale and was tipped to excel in any equine discipline.
Lot 120, Kilroe Donn, a 153cm grey gelding by Trá Bháin Céileóg out of Fauna Cashel, was the next highest netting pony at €9,400. A 153cm six-year-old, he had been out showing in flat and working hunter classes and hunted with the Bree Foxhounds prior to his sale. His sire was the Junior reserve champion in Clifden in 2016. Consigned by Ben Kavanagh, he went to Pat O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor.
Lot 32, Mason Cove, sold to Ardle Horses Ltd for €9,000. A 15.3hh bay gelding by Kilberan Mike out of Misty Molly, this four-year-old’s breeding includes Ashfield Jovial Joker, Prince Of Thieves and Moy Hazy Cove. He had hunted with the Glasson Farmers, schooled cross country and jumped prior to being consigned for sale by Killian Bannon.
The next highest priced Connemara overall was Lot 305, Balrobuck Storm, who is described below among the top three-year-olds.
Lot 103, Jim Mernagh’s Ballyvary Russet, realised €8,200 when he was purchased by Kieran Egan. The five-year-old gelding, standing at 153cm, is a dun by Achill Jack out of Riverside Beauty. Broken and riding, he had attended arena hires where he schooled over both cross country and show jumping fences. His dam sire is the renowned Letter Muckoo Lad, who competed at Grand Prix level and was reserve champion in the RDS Connemara class.
The top priced Connemara mare was the five-year-old mare Lot 152, Lady Mia Louise, who changed hands for €8,200, going from Thomas Walsh to Attrory Horses. A golden dun Class 1 performance mare by Trá Bháin Céileóg out of Lady Nada, she has Silver Shadow and Cool Runnings in her back breeding. Broken and ridden, she was jumping a 1m course prior to her sale and was considered capable of progressing to 1.20m.
Attrory Horses were successful once again, securing Lot 47, Ballynoonagh Bella, for €8,000. This five-year-old grey mare by Clegganbay Tower out of Teach Mor Jade stands at 14.1hh and was described as showing great potential over a fence, with straight, free movement and a lovely rhythm. She had also competed at Eventing Ireland 80T level, finishing third on her dressage score, and was consigned by Grainne O’Brien. Attrory also picked up Foran’s Hester, Lot 140, for €7,400. Consigned by Thomas Walsh, this five-year-old gelding by Newtown Rebel out of Bruckless Hester has strong breeding behind him, with Linsfort Barney as his damsire and Frederiksminde Hazy Match appearing on the sire line.
Woodview Jack, Lot 141, fetched €7,600 when he was bought by Pat O’Gorman and Hannah Taylor. The 15hh blue roan four-year-old gelding consigned by Eamon Briscoe is by Hocki out of Katie Bui. Not far behind was the third highest priced mare, Lot 93, Ma’am Rose, who went to O’Gorman and Taylor for €7,500. By Maam Hero out of Rose Ann, this four-year-old consigned by Eoin Donnelly stands at 150cm. Rounding out the top 10 was Lot 89, Clonberne Summer Sunshine, who made €7,100 when she went to Ardle Horses Ltd. A four-year-old, 148cm golden dun filly by Lightening Star out of Lavally Pride, she is a smart Class 1 mare and an in-hand show winner.
Lot 305 Balrobuck Storm made the highest price on Saturday of €8,400 at the Connemara Pony Sales Clifden Special Loose Jumping Sale \ Rynes Walker
Top five three-year-olds
The aforementioned Lot 305, Balrobuck Storm, topped the three-year-old loose jumping sale when he went to Shane Burns for €8,400. This quality 14.2hh grey gelding by Blakehill Ballylee Storm out of Queen of May has excellent conformation, step and temperament and was described as a future top jumping or eventing pony. Lightly backed at the time of sale, he was consigned by Hannah Doyle.
Broadoak Athena, Lot 322, sold for €6,200 to Écurie Gernay of Belgium. A three-year-old dun filly by Rocklawn Elvis out of Maree Girl, she stands approximately 148cm and was described as a well-produced pony that is broken and riding very well. Athena had been shown several times as a two- and three-year-old and was presented by Joe Ryan as a bright prospect for the future.
Lot 321, Currabawn Maggie, realised €6,000 when she was purchased by Nick Walker of the UK. This three-year-old, 13.2hh grey filly by Pumkins Pondi out of Kilcurry Diamond was consigned by Emer Esler and was described as kind-natured and easy to work with.
Rathsallagh Holly, Lot 309, changed hands for €5,800 to Écurie Gernay of Belgium. This striking three-year-old, a 147cm dun mare. is by Grade A show jumping sire Currabawn Mark out of Rathsallagh Pete. Described as a clever mare over a fence, she has great respect for a pole and lovely, even paces. Patrick O’Brien was the consignor.
Lot 317, Corhoogan Tina Rua, was sold to Amy Harris of the UK for €5,400. A three-year-old 152cm bay filly by Glenmore Mirah Patrick out of Knockadteen Lady, she was described as a smashing overheight pony with all Class 1 breeding. Her pedigree goes back on the dam side to the exceptional Atlantic Raven and Monaghanstown Fred, while she boasts lovely movement with a great jump.
Lot 237 Carrick Hill Poppy makes 11,000 in the ring, making her the highest priced non reg horse and the highest priced horse of the September Sale overall \ Rynes Walker
Top five non-reg lots
Carrick Hill Poppy was the highest priced lot of the weekend when she attracted €11,000 from Finola Heslin. This five-year-old 16.2hh palomino mare by Longwood Dunbelieveable out of Miss Hati was described as having the looks, colour, temperament and attitude to work that make her stand out. She has hunted for two seasons, competed at training shows and cross country and was considered capable of excelling in any equestrian discipline. Barry Kiernan consigned the mare.
Five-year-old Champagne Molly, Lot 238, went to a UK buyer, Adelle Nottage, for €10,200 following a phone bid. A 15.2hh cremello mare by Rocky Maguire, she was consigned by Barry Kiernan and described as a one-of-a-kind powerhouse who has done a little of everything, including hunting, cross country and showing from a young age.
Lot 206, Bonnie McGuire, sold for €8,500 to O’Gorman and Taylor, who also picked up the next two lots in this category. The 15.1hh dun mare is a traditional cob who is broken and riding and has attended cross country and charity rides, with extensive forest hacking also under her belt. Described as very good in traffic, honest and easy, Bonnie had previouslybred one foal. Brendan Noone consigned the attractive cob.
Tattymoyle Blaze, Lot 210, fetched €7,000. This five-year-old 158cm bay gelding was said to be a much-loved cob with a full history and was described as a head-turner with exceptional movement. Professionally broken and produced, he had been enjoyed by a 12-year-old girl and has taken part in beach, forest and pleasure rides, cross country and dressage, as well as jumping a course of fences.
Lot 229, Shanover Beauty Full, also fetched €7,000. This eight-year-old 15.2hh black mare is riding well on the flat and has schooled cross country and over show jumps. She hacks both alone and in company and was described as a lovely traditional type. Dean Ryan was the consignor.
The next sale at Clifden will run from October 22nd until October 26th.