JUST five weeks into the new year, the sales team at Cavan have launched their 2023 programme with a mixed sale next Wednesday (February 8th). Filled largely by the performance sector, which delivered outstandingly well 12 months ago, the catalogue of nearly 140 lots also features an evening session of young breeding stock and Irish Draughts. The first group appears on paper to be the strongest division, both numerically and in content, offering a big selection of proven hunters, as well as a couple of upper end jumping and eventing performers.

Among these are the well-known grade A jumper Lux Trendy, as well as the current amateur national event (EI100) champion Belle Saru. The ponies, which are always a crowd-puller at the venue, and indeed produced last year’s top lot, also look attractive to include both youngsters and experienced competition lots.

Looking at the sire list, Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) is the sole sire with multiple entries.

Ponies

Lot 4 Lord Mashed Potato, reg 10yo gr g 128cms (no recorded breeding). One for the smallest of jockeys, the amusingly named Lord Mashed Potato has a career total of 31 SJI points amassed in just one season under rules. Described as laid back but with plenty of gears if needed, this lovely pony is well hunted.

Lot 7 White Gold Boy, reg 4yo gr g 138cms (no recorded breeding). One from the intermediate height group, this grey gelding is mature beyond his years. Described as a super confidence-giver to any child, he is easy to manage and loves his job. He is very well-schooled on the flat, loves to show jump and is good to hunt.

Lot 16 Banjo R, reg 10yo bl g 127cms by Black Diamond out of Melissa (Kadett). This quiet and manageable grade A jumping pony has a career total of 210 SJI points. Carrying a very smart SJI record, this versatile performer has also competed in numerous combined trained classes, as well as show classes including lead rein and Working Hunter. Always in the ribbons, he is well schooled across country and is a type hard to find.

Lot 27A Glentrague Hunter, reg 7yo b g 148cms by Robert River Mist out of Glentrague Amber Jus by Doon Ashford Bay. Ridden throughout by a 12-year-old girl, and now sadly outgrown, this pony has been competing in classes up to one-metre and is a safe conveyance out hunting.

Competition horses

Lot 34 Lux Trendy, reg 13yo b g 17.2hh by Future Trend out of Lucy Lux (Lux Z). A top-class grade A show jumper, Lux Trendy (1.40m) was the winner of the 1.35m Munster Grand Prix League in 2022 and, under Liam O’Meara, was a winner and placed in numerous classes last year. Professional in his manner and easy to do, he is thought ideal for a competitve young rider.

Lot 40 Isa V, reg 10yo gr m 167cms by Zirocco Blue out of Daphne (Lupicor). A high class German-bred mare, Isa V competed in Ireland last year to win 24 SJI points (in classes to 1.30m) in just a few months. Well related to a string of graded horses, she has bred a foal, and is an attractive competition/breeding prospect.

Lot 45 SJ Nice Guy, reg 8yo gr g 165cms by Figaro VD Heffinck out of Right Direction (Saracen Hill). This straightforward campaigner has competed up to 1.30m to win 69 SJI points. Described as an easy all-rounder and very forgiving, he is only for sale as the rider is moving up a level.

Lot 51 Belle Saru (IRE), reg 7yo br m 170cms by Sageburg out of Dereme (Robin des Champs). Having been introduced to eventing 18 months ago, this amateur ridden mare won the National EI 100 amateur title last year, and has picked up four wins at pre-novice level. She has also gained several second places and is snaffle-mouthed in all phases.

Lot 74 Fortside Connecticut, reg 5yo ch g 163cms by Pointilliste out of Casey Coevers (Coevers Diamond Boy). This high class dual purpose prospect has won 42 SJI points to date in classes up to 1.10m. A half-brother to several graded horses, and described as an easy ride, he would suit either an amateur or a professional to produce further.

Lot 96 Crannaghmore Candy, reg 4yo b g 168cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Currantarmuid Black Tie (Silvano). One of a small selection of four-year-olds, this gelding has been successful in the showring, and was crowned overall Royal Meath three-year-old show champion last year.

Hunters and all-rounders

Lot 33 Hero, reg 16yo ch g 168cms by Clonakilty Hero out of Ginger Maid (Ginger Dick). This proven hunter comes with a great recommendation. He has followed hounds since he was a four-year-old, and is described as a fantastic hunter who loves his job and will go first or last over any type of country. Perfectly mannered at the meet and to the point that ‘never a drop of port is spilled,’ he is an easy ride who would suit young rider looking to learn the ropes or anyone looking to have a fun and an enjoyable day out. He has been in the same ownership throughout, and is sadly only for sale due to his rider’s retirement.

Lot 60 Laccabawn Candy Girl, reg 6yo gr m 170cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Roava Rox (Gurrane Zidane). By one of last season’s most commercial sires, this upstanding mare hails from a well related Irish Draught maternal line and has bred two foals. Slowly produced, and ready to progress in any competitive sphere, she has also proved a mannered and able hunter.

Lot 61 Prospect Pride, reg 5yo gr g 162cms by Rebel Flagmount out of De Burgos Pride (Ceide Prince). This loose moving Irish Draught gelding has hunted with the North Galway hounds. Quiet in all respects, he would be an ideal mother/daughter share.

Young stock

Lot 113, reg 2yo b f by Sligo Candy Boy out of My Cavan Lady (Hermes de Reve). One of 19 lots forward in this division, this well-related filly is a half-sister to the German-based event horse Winchester (CCI4*), ridden by Kai Steffen Meier. Adding further depth, the dam is a sibling to Rock Midnight (CCI3*) who represented New Zealand in Le Lion d’Angers in 2019, while the dam is also a half-sister to to dam of the Canadian-based jumper Ringwood Zebo (1.45m).

Lot 118 Knocksquire Hendricks, reg gr/bl 1yo colt by Gibeon out of Cloonacauneen Bawn (Young Carrabawn). An interesting one for the traditionalists, this good moving June-born colt is one of the first crop of the new Slyguff Stud’s stallion Gibeon.

Lot 120 Unnamed, reg 1 yo b c by Spirit House out of Delligabaun Lady (Colonel Clover). Bred to jump, this colt is out of a half sister to Ballinteskin Watch This (1.50m) ridden by Victoria Gulliksen, and to SES Watch Me who is competing in Britain.

Lot 123 My Cavan Lady, reg 19yo br m by Hermes de Reve out of Hilltown Lass (Robertstown Boy). One of two broodmares entered, this very well bred, easy mare mare is the dam of Lot 113 (pedigree as above). Carrying a dual purpose pedigree, and related to both jumpers and event horses, she is in foal to Cornets Son.

Irish Draughts

There are just five entries in the Irish Draught sector, including one Class One broodmare.

Lot 134 Newtown Gray Mist, reg 14yo gr m by Moylough Bouncer out of Warren Katie (Ballinrobe Boy). This attractively bred, class one mare is in foal to Dunbeggan Grey Mist and due in May.

Factfile

Cavan Horse Marketing Centre

Address: Latt, Cavan, Co Cavan.

Telephone: 049-4332017

Fax: 049-4331400

Email: info@cavanequestrian.com

Web: www.cavanequestrian.com

Date: Wednesday, February 8th 2023

Time: Performance Sale: 11am. (104 lots)

Young stock (19 lots) 4.30pm approximately and Irish Draughts (5 lots) to follow.

Last year’s top lot: Sarah Jane Reynold’s Hillswood Boy, 5yo 148cms gelding by Royale Cruise €21,000.