THE Connemara Pony Sales Clifden May Sale takes place from May 15th to 17th, and this year’s three-day catalogue promises a superb selection of quality ponies. With over 620 ponies catalogued, the sale offers an opportunity to source proven performers, future stars, breeding stock and well-related youngstock.

The majority of the broken and ridden ponies will go through the ring on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday’s sale will focus primarily on younger stock and breeding prospects.

Buyers seeking to secure a Class 1 stallion before the close of the breeding season will have several exciting options to consider. Friday morning’s session includes Lot 11, Gortaderra Joey, alongside Lot 65, the newly classified 3DR Kavanagh. Saturday’s catalogue features further notable stallion prospects including Lot 232, Nephin Shadow (not to be confused with Lot 474, Nephin’s Shadow), Lot 366, Oldstone Hazy Lad (OH Stallion), and Lot 394, Newgrange Dexter.

For breeders in search of proven broodmare lines, Lot 547, Emalagh Morning Mist, is certain to attract attention on Sunday. Scanned in foal to the Class 1 stallion Silver Jumper and due to foal shortly, she is already an established producer. Among her successful progeny is Annaveigh Flashback ’69, winner of the Junior Equitation Class at the Dublin Horse Show 2024.

Those looking for competition-ready ponies will find no shortage of appealing candidates throughout the sale. Highlights include Lot 100, Evergreen Lisa, already competing in eventing; Lot 375, Westbrook Ya Ya Charlie, currently competing at 80cm and the eye-catching seven-year-old gelding Lot 391, Cahergal Lucky Boy, who already holds 127 SJI points and is competing successfully at 90cm-1.10m level.

There is also a strong selection of younger broken and ridden ponies with impressive pedigrees and performance connections. Lot 53, Ellie’s Morning Star, is by Castleside JJ and out of My Choice Ellie, herself a half-sister to the 2022 sales-topping foal Prosperous Poppy. Lot 67, Rathkeery Mac, an overheight broken and ridden four-year-old, is a half-brother to Rathkeery Melvin, winner of the Green Hunter Final in Clifden in 2023 and subsequently sold at the Clifden sales for €14,000. Lot 157, Murvey Simon, already broken and ridden, is a half-brother to the Class 1 stallion Murvey Rocco.

For buyers looking towards future potential, Sunday’s younger stock includes several particularly well-bred prospects. Three-year-old Lot 476, Cherrynook Tutu, combines exceptional bloodlines, being by the double Clifden In-Hand and Ridden Champion Glencarrig Douvan and out of Cregduff Emily, winner of the Clifden six to nine-year-old in-hand class. Lot 506, Doonhill Ri Na Mara, by the influential Rogaire Na Locha and out of the multiple show-winning mare Doonhill Queen, is another youngster expected to draw considerable interest.

Among the two-year-olds, Lot 485, Gortaderra Ruby, stands out as a full-sister to Lot 11, the Class 1 stallion Gortaderra Joey, making her an especially attractive prospect for buyers seeking those proven bloodlines.

In the yearling section, Lot 614, Nire Valley Jackson, catches the eye. By the highly-respected Lough Melvin Gorteen and out of Nire Valley Hope - Reserve Ridden Champion at Clifden in both 2018 and 2024, as well as a three-time champion at Cork Summer Show - he represents the depth of quality on offer throughout the weekend.

As always, each evening will also feature a selection of unregistered and half-bred ponies offered for sale. For further information and updates, visit the Connemara Pony Sales website and associated social media channels.