A LOFT top return of €23,000 together with a strong clearance of 78% illustrated the strength of demand for sport horses at Goresbridge last week. The opening two days, which focused on the ponies, older horses and four-year-olds, reaped a raft of notable prices especially in the younger sector. This group saw 80% of those on offer change hands, and having attracted buyers from all disciplines, closed with an average of €7,004. The market for the older horses was also lively, with competition horses and hunters selling strongly throughout. This led to an average return of €5,547 along with a equally satisfying clearance of 76%. Speaking on Thursday evening, Goresbridge’s Mary Frances Donohoe commented: “It has been an excellent two day’s trade, and it’s so positive to see the Irish horse in such high demand.” Goresbridge will host its next Sport Horse Sale on Thursday, December 1st.

Even more rewardingly many good returns fell directly to the breeders, and among these was Carrowgar Studs’s Gina Heaps, whose Carrowgar Heraldo (Lot 53) realised the overall top price of €23,000. An upstanding five-year-old by Herald 111 (Heraldik) out of Equine Connect Monchie (Flagmount King), he carried 64% thoroughbred blood and had competed in the Try Eventing series earlier this summer. Professionally produced by event rider Dominic Furnell, he had also lightly hunted with the Limerick Harriers last season and was a full brother to 2019 RDS Supreme Champion young horse Carrowgar Herald.

Well marketed by Heaps, who breeds from her home in Quinn, Co Limerick, the gelding was showcased on the online video gallery, and it was this slick production that initially attracted successful buyer and junior rider Charlotte Hackwell. “I immediately picked him out online,” explained the Cardiff-based buyer. “When I arrived here, I was able to have a quick sit on him which was really helpful. I’m just off ponies, and he felt like a big version of the pony I have now.”

Despite being determined to secure her choice, Hackwell did not have things her own way in the ring. Bids ricocheted up the scale for this smart sort, and from around €10,000 it became a two-way battle between Hackwell and an equally driven Jim Derwin. The former won the day however, and will now event her new purchase from her base in Cardiff.

Proven hunters were at a premium, and heading the field at €13,000 was Meabh Curley’s weight carrying Got The Call (Lot 62), an eye-catching grey by Beowolf out of Give Me A Buzz (Harlequin du Carel). Carrying immense bone for his breeding, the James Breen-bred grey was originally sourced from Jim Derwin, and had since hunted with the Roscommon Harriers for three seasons. Having carried the whipper-in, and described as being superb over walls, wires, hedges and drains, he was snapped up by the Master of the Amman Valley Bloodhounds, Graham Smith. “He’s a proper sort,” commented the delighted buyer.” It was the video that sold him to me in the first place, and then arriving here I liked him as much in the flesh.”

There were a further three five-figure returns on day one, and next in line at €11,000 was Keith Wilson’s Wee Tilly Clover (Lot 103), a traditionally bred mare, standing just 15.2hh by Big Time Ginger (dam by Captain Clover). An eight-year-old all-rounder, she was fully warranted in all respects and, well produced by Wilson’s partner Hannah Eakins, looked well bought by Ardee-based Eimear Rogers for her daughter Ella. “She was a beautiful ride, and a real bonnie little sort,” said Wilson. “I bought her last year, and although she’s not big, there are always customers for the nice ones.”

Earlier in session, Ger O’Brien’s five-year-old RNG Poldark Rising Star (Lot 30) by Z Wellie 72 out of Midlands Rising Star (Young Farhaan) looked well bought by regular buyer Nicole Browne for €10,000. Ridden and produced by Tom O’Shea to clock up 35 SJI points to date, he was sourced as a yearling from his breeder Loretta Kirwan and was by O’Brien’s former national show jumping champion sire Z Wellie 72. Having only served a few mares, Z Wellie was subsequently exported to China, from where he proceeded to represent his new country in the Asian Games.

Another €13,000 sale later in the day was for Brian O’Malley’s well related Annyalla Silverado (Lot 77). A catalogue pick, this Paul Flanagan-bred gelding was well prepped by Shane Quinn, and carrying a solid blacktype pedigree is by Diarado out of Annyalla Good Relations (Harlequin du Carel). The dam is a half-sister to the American-based 1.60m performer Judge N Jury (aka HS Memphis) and to the British Nations Cup-winning jumper Santa Cruise (1.60m). Durham-based Steven Pitt signed the docket for this good sort, commenting afterwards, “He’s a really nice sort, and of course is so well related. I didn’t think I would have to go to that much to secure him, but then I liked him, so I had to carry on.”

Four-year-olds

Co Monaghan seller Keith Wilson has certainly made his mark in recent renewals, and as a master of the pre-sale videos, he scored again when his attractive gelding Rolling Biz (Lot 139) headed Thursday’s trade at €19,000.

The subject of another very spirited tussle involving plenty of online activity, he came on the market at €13,000, and was eventually secured by British agent Lee Penny. “I’ve bought him in partnership with Clive Collins,” commented the Derbyshire-based man. “I just loved the type, the attitude and the jump. We will take our time with him, but the plan is to contest the age classes next year, under my partner Charlotte Hayes.” Wilson had sourced the elegant gelding from his breeder Gerald Hackett two years ago, and interestingly bred, he one of only three registered foals (2018) by the useful jumper Rolling High (High Roller) out of the traditionally bred mare The Biz (by The Bat). “I haven’t done a lot with him, but he’s an exceptionally nice horse and came here with a full set on X-rays,” said Wilson.

Another to catch the eye was Mark O’Sullivan’s Delilah (Lot 152), a filly by the coveted Luidam out of Sylvia (Heritage Fortunas). Bred by Jim O’Neill, and sourced from him earlier this year, the filly was well ridden by Gemma Phelan and following a lengthy battle between several online customers was finally knocked down to Scottish buyer Lucy Henry at €13,400.

Ballindaggin producers Henry Foley and Joanne Curtin rarely fail to land a good return, and did well again when their attractive gelding by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (Lot 159) changed hands to a cash buyer at €13,000. A very correct individual, he was bought from his breeder John Killoran last year and quietly produced in the interim.

As five-figure prices came thick and fast, another to benefit at €13,000 was Co Clare breeder Michael Griffin. His offering was a home-bred son (Lot 160) of the popular Chacoon Blue out of Jo Jo Choice by Cruising. With his maternal back breeding going back to the Olympic show jumper Tom Boy (Nelson Pessoa), this well-related gelding is a sibling to several jumpers and event horses, and looked well bought by the Welsh-based Tom Browning. Gemma Phelan was again in the saddle to showcase this useful sort, who according to the buyer looked to have lots of ‘punch off the floor.’

Never far from the action, British buyer Lee Penny went on to secure two more lots, including Samantha Smyth’s Knock Bawn Duchess (Lot 186), a filly by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Brockhagh Lady Puissance (Puissance). From the family of several event horses, she had competed in a range of activities ridden by a junior. Bids moved rapidly for this easy filly who, bred by Dorothy Cahill, was produced by Cian McHugh. This was a good debut result for McHugh, who has recently set up in business in Co Wicklow.

As buyers remained at ringside until the final horse passed through, there was plenty of late activity. Standing out among these, and selling as one from the supplementary catalogue, Jason Higgins and MBF Sport Horses unnamed gelding (Lot 388) by Ringwood Cassero out of The Indian River sired Paddys Pride realised €12,000. Sourced last year, he was the subject of a competitive online battle, before he was eventually secured by British international event rider Max Warburton.

A full report from the final day of three-year-olds will appear next week.