Sally Parkyn

FEARS that the United Kingdom’s recent decision to exit the European Union would have an immediate effect on the sport horse trade in Ireland were firmly quashed at Goresbridge this week.

Despite the resulting weak rate of sterling, customers from the UK thronged to the Co Kilkenny complex, where they contributed to an upbeat opening trade on the first two days of the three-day sale.

A reassured Martin Donohoe commented: “Certainly at this stage, you would not be aware that Brexit had happened.”

Early reactions from both the private and trade sectors were equally positive, with Liverpool amateur rider Sue McDonald commenting: “It’s made no difference to us at all. We couldn’t find what we wanted in England, so we came across here. Finding the right horse is the most important thing.”

Traders and producers were similarly pragmatic. Leading Cheshire hunter and show horse dealer Andrew Callwood added: “At the end of the day, it is the horse that matters. We have to fill our order books – the sterling has been weak before and will be so again.”

The top price of the opening two days of the sale was paid for Gabriel Slattery’s Castletown Don, a five-year-old gelding by Peter Pan who was knocked down for €10,500.

Turn to pages A64-65 for the full sale report