MEMORIES of the Connemara boom times resurfaced at Goresbridge last week, when a colt foal realised a healthy €3,000.

Recording the best price seen at public auction this year, the performance-bred TBS Inspector Sparrow (79) was a clear winner on a day that otherwise produced a set of mixed returns.

Consigned and bred by John Connolly of the Cornbrook Stud, the well-grown grey colt was by Carol Henley’s stallion Cheeky Bobby Sparrow, out of Canal Laurinda by Callowfeenish Mairtin.

A full brother to the highly-rated French-based show jumper TBS Millhouse Sinatra De L’Ufree, the colt boasts a grade A jumping stallion as his sire, while the dam is a daughter of Village Laura, a multiple RDS and Clifden champion.

Adding strength to the pedigree, the dam’s sire Callowfeenish Mairtin is also a proven performance sire, having sired the European pony championship show jumper Ballyowen Mabel Molly.

While the pedigree stood out for successful purchaser Nikki Collins (Nikki Collins Bloodstock), she was equally impressed with the model.

“He’s going to France,” she commented. “Initially it was the breeding that attracted my client, but he’s a beautiful foal as well.”

The racing world was well represented in the Connemara sector when John Hayes, assistant to Jim Bolger, sold his eye-catching dun Ruby Hero (17) by Coral Rose for €2,400. Very well produced under saddle by Hayes’ daughter Shauna, the three-year-old gelding was one of six dun ponies sourced as yearlings from Clifden.

LUCKY

“I’ve been very lucky with all of them,” said the Castlecomer man, whose pony was the pick of the sale for successful purchaser Kieran Egan.

“He stood out for me,” remarked the Ballinsasloe man, who plans to store and produce the gelding at home.

Another member of the turf to sell well was National Hunt jockey Tommy Treacy. Still recovering from an injury, Treacey consigned the lofty grey Errisbeg Iceberg (3) who changed hands for €2,100. Standing at 15.3hh, the five-year-old gelding by Shackleton (dam by Fonta) had been lightly produced under saddle and had taken part in a few charity rides.

“It’s hard to get the height,” said the successful purchaser Jonathan Flynn, who plans to export the gelding to England.

These good returns aside, the remaining trade was less encouraging. Performance-bred animals dominated both the demand and therefore the better returns, leading to a much improved average of €987.50 (€736) but accompanied by a reduced clearance rate of 42% (54%).

Reflecting on the sale-topper, Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge added: “It reminded me of the hey-days when foals frequently made that sort of figure and proves the point that if breeders produce what the market requires they will be rewarded.”