WITH prices clustering solidly, Cavan enjoyed another strong and successful sale last Wednesday. Although only three lots broke the five-figure barrier, such was the depth of trade, 18 horses realised between €8,000 and €9,600 while a further 15 made in excess of €7,000.

These healthy returns contributed to an overall average of €6,057 (no corresponding sale in 2022) together with a clearance of 73%.

Demand came from all quarters and for every type of horse or pony most notably for competition stock with mileage. There were a number of such lots on offer over the course of the day, but none came close to matching the €14,000 sale-topping return of Jack Geaney’s smart jumper Roanwood Hurry Up Sunrise (Lot 69) to buyer Jan Mortensen. A daughter of Lancelot out of Roanwood Nadia, the six-year-old mare held a clean SJI record, and with 17 SJI points to date, she had been double clear in the age championship at the Irish Breeders Classic last year.

“It was no fluke that she made that price, she is a very good mare with a lot of talent,” said Co Kerry resident Geaney. “We bought her from her breeder John O’Sullivan at the start of her four-year-old year, and she’s been easy to do in every way.” Geaney, who had made the long drive from his home in Castleisland, Co Kerry, is currently in the middle of his Leaving Cert studies, and with time at a premium, is trying to reduce his string.

As has become the pattern at recent sales, safe riding horses with full warranties have reaped the rewards. One example was the Kieran Morrin owned and produced Dante (Lot 39), a 13-year-old gelding (no recorded breeding) with a wealth of experience at riding club level. A catalogue pick on paper and in the same ownership for about six years, the diminutive Dante had been placed second in the RC national dressage championships, and with successes in almost every discipline, was described as a true all-rounder and an ideal family horse. In demand from the outset, he was eventually secured at €12,000 by Scottish-based Arthur McNabney on behalf of a client.

Another useful sort to sell well at €11,350 was Bernard Reynolds’ Grovehill Candy Cavalier (Lot 64), a home-bred gelding by Sligo Candy Boy out of Grovehill Lady (Mohill Cavalier Clover). The winner of 31 SJI points under Jennifer Torrens, this gelding is now bound for Scotland with successful first-time Cavan buyer Frazer Perratt. “We travelled over solely to see him,” explained Perratt.” We had looked at the videos, and luckily for us he was just as nice in the flesh. I also liked his history, and that he was not too big – he will now go jumping with my wife Amy.”

Four-year-olds

The four-year-old trade was a little more inconsistent, but standing out to realise €9,600 was Lisa Murphy and Thomas O’Leary’s Tourmakeady Champ (Lot 125), an over height registered Connemara gelding by Melody’s Boy out of Derryveeney Lady (Ard Ri Cunga). Sourced from Clifden early last year, the unusually marked gelding was broken last year and produced for this sale by Lisa’s sister Eimear. Northern Irish buyer Terry Rice, who was looking for a working hunter prospect for his daughter, was the lucky buyer.

Another strong representative in the age group was Michael Reilly’s Fintan (Lot 124), a traditionally bred gelding by Fintan Himself out of Newtown (Easy Lift). Bred by Tom Fitzsimons, this grey was knocked down to English buyer Rose Nesbitt for €9,000.

Also making an impression earlier in the day was John Higgins’ seven-year-old Leeroy SW (Lot 55), a Dutch bred gelding by Dallas VDL (dam by Stalypso). Sourced from Jim Derwin as a three-year-old, and campaigned by Maura Counihan to clock up 88 SJI points, he was snapped up by Caron Nichol (European Sports Horses) for €9,500.

The Liam O’Meara produced five-year-old jumping mare Ballykealy Stella (Lot 89) by Big Dan Rouet (dam by Russel) looked well bought by a busy James White for €9,100, while Newbury-based jumping producer Robert Stronge paid €9,000 for Casey O’Connor’s well related six-year-old mare My Lady RV (Lot 67) by Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest (dam by Wolfgang). Having jumped in the amateur ranks, this KWPN-registered is a half-sister to Brianne RV (1.50m) and to Zantiago (1.45m) and will be produced by Stronge’s international show jumping daughter Poppy.

The aforementioned Michael Reilly, who sold well in the four-year-old sector, was also in the fray when his Bens Louie (Lot 70) changed hands for €9,000. Tiernan Grey was at ringside to account for this home-bred grey who, reputedly by a Luidam colt, was out of the well related Bens Luck (Womaniser).

Ponies

A very solid pony session was headed by Daphne Scholts’ Cree A Tuatha (Lot 18) by An Claomh Solais out of Cloud Walker. A six-year-old 143cms gelding with plenty of mileage, he was secured by Noel Boyle for €8,700.

Rounding off a highly successful day, Longford’s Michael Reilly sold his Connemara Cavan Blazer (Lot 23) to Sussex buyer Amelia Ayling for €8,600. Riding school owner Reilly disclosed that he is cutting down on numbers due to the ongoing difficulty of finding dedicated and committed instructors.