“WE were absolutely delighted with the trade last Thursday and Friday,” said Ed Donohue at the conclusion of the Goresbridge May Sport Horse Performance Sale. “There was a phenomenal crowd of buyers from all over the UK and Europe, and it was really active. Thursday, which was the five-year-olds, was an incredible day’s trading: huge crowds and huge activity, with an 82% clearance rate and an average price just short of €7,500. For older horses, that was extremely satisfying.

“On Friday, we expected that to be well back, and it wasn’t. The clearance rate among the four-year-olds was 78% with an average price of €6,630, and the clearance rate for the three-year-olds was 79%. Traditionally, at this time of year, the three-year-old trade wouldn’t be great because there would only be the lesser ones put forward, so that really augers well. It was as good a week’s trading as we’ve had at Goresbridge in recent years.

“In fairness to the vendors, they’re doing a fantastic job, because they’re producing their horses better and better for every sale. They’re turning them out well, and we’re getting a better standard of horse coming to Goresbridge all the time. Fair play to our vendors, because they’re really upping their game, and it allows us to shout it from the rooftops and get more buyers in and open new markets. All in all, we’re extremely happy.”

Lot 257 became Thursday’s top-priced lot, after a bidding war between Olympic event rider Oliver Townend and online buyer Gill Johnson. Johnson was the winner, purchasing the HSF Canturo Lui-sired five-year-old gelding for €29,000 from vendors Tomas Doyle and Marti Rudd. Sam Jennings tried the horse on behalf of Johnson, and said: “He’s absolutely quality. We had seen some videos of him online, and we pretty much came over just for him. Hopefully I can do him justice,” she concluded.

British agent Carron Nicol, acting for European Sport Horse, purchased a total of eight lots on Thursday, and among them was Lot 175, who realised €21,000 for owners Mary and Michael Keogh. Bred in the UK by Lisa Hales and sold as a foal through the Bolesworth Auction, the five-year-old bay gelding by SFS Aristio was produced for the sale by Ruben Foley. Nicol commented: “There’s no stopping me once I get going! There was good quality here today, and Lot 175 was the pick of the day, a stunning horse. I have high hopes for that horse for show jumping.”

Higgins Sporthorses consigned Lot 269, Blamour V Z, a five-year-old grey gelding by Berlin, who made €17,500 when sold to the UK. Carron Nicol also accounted for Lot 402, a palomino mare by Ard Unique, for €14,000, while two lots made €13,500. The first of these was Lot 189, a seven-year-old roan gelding by Dunsandle Diamond, who had hunted all season with the Donegal Harriers and Fermanagh Harriers. The other was Lot 310, Briarhill Contendro, who was described as “a lovely model of a horse with a good pedigree and great movement”.

Friday’s four-year-olds

Lot 463 became the top lot on Friday for MBF Sporthorses, when the four-year-old chesnut mare sold to Annie Dalton for €21,000. By Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve and out of an Aganix de Seigneur mare, she was described as having all the attributes necessary to make a top show jumper or eventer. MBF Sporthorses also achieved the third-highest price of the day, when Lot 497, MBF Clondee, sold to an American buyer for €16,000.

Andrew Williams and Victoire von Schoen accounted for Lot 531, an unnamed four-year-old mare by Cascari, who was produced for the sale by Frank Casey, at €20,000. “She’s an incredible type, an eye-catcher,” said von Schoen, while Williams said their plans for her include contesting the Dublin qualifiers, as well as Horse Sport Ireland four-year-old classes later in the year.

While the clearance rate for three-year-olds may have been positive at 79%, the average price of €3,077 was perhaps less so, and the top price among the 32 sold was €6,600. This was paid by the successful Hungarian bidder on Lot 541, a dun filly by Tullabeg Fusion. Oliver Townend was successful in his pursuit of Lot 545, The Moate Man, whom he purchased for €6,500. This bay gelding is by another of Tullabeg’s stallions, Dignified van’t Zorgvliet, and out of a thoroughbred mare by Old Vic. Lot 573 and Lot 594 each realised €4,800.