MUCH has changed in the world of Irish breeding since Martin and Mary Frances Donohoe, backed by other members of the Goresbridge Go For Gold team, decided to move their sale to the dual Gorey, Co Wexford locations of Barnadown Showjumping and the Amber Springs Hotel for the 2011 renewal.

That year, 61 lots were catalogued of whom 20 were sired by 10 thoroughbred stallions, three by Irish Draughts and two by Connemaras. For this year’s renewal, seven thoroughbred stallions are represented by eight lots, being outnumbered by 19 Dutch Warmblood sires (24 lots), nine Belgian Warmblood stallions (19 lots) and eight Irish Sport Horse sires (12 lots).