HOSTED for the first time since the pandemic, the final sport’s horse renewal of the year takes place at Goresbridge next Thursday. The resurrection of this one-day December edition is a welcome one, and delivering a catalogue of just shy of 140 lots, it also promises to be a good one.

Among those listed are numerous show jumpers, event horses and hunters with form, as well as the top show horse Hayfield Flynn, a winner of his class at the RDS and Pembroke Cup reserve champion three-year-old. There are also several on offer from the family of the late Ronnie Hollinger, all by the sale’s leading numerical sire Creevagh Ferro. Another sire to make an impact with three progeny forward is the very commercial eventing stallion Tullabeg Fusion.

Ponies

Lot 4 Woodviews Pippa, reg 11yo gr m 14.2hh. One of just eight ponies on offer, Pippa is an experienced individual with 59 SJI points. Fully warranted, and only for sale as her rider has now outgrown her, she has also taken part in pony club activities and events.

Lot 8 Glashina Mean Oiche, reg 5yo gr g 138cms by Curraghmore Cashel out of Grallagh Caolin (Cusack). One for the future and probably the pick of the bunch, this fully warranted Connemara gelding has competed in combined training classes, hunter trials, showing and EI events. In the latter discipline, he filled second spot in his only two EI 90 classes to date, both in open company.

Competition horses

Lot 9 Padraig Ina Sheasamh, reg 8yo ch g 17.1hh by Harlequin du Carel out of Golden Church Girl (White Clover). One of the stand outs among the older horses, this gelding won the EI National Amateur (EI90) event title in 2019. The following year he progressed to win three classes at EI 100 level and completed his first international engagement in 2020. The winner of two EI points and now qualified for CCI2*, he was also placed reserve national Dressage Ireland champion at Prelim and Novice (2019) and is currently show jumping at 1.20m level. Adding to this extensive CV, he has follows the East Clare Farmers drag hunt and the North Tipperary Foxhounds for two seasons.

Lot 17 Rubinetta, reg 14yo b m 15.2hh by Rhondeo out of De Litte. A fully warranted dressage schoolmaster, Rubinetta has over 350 British Dressage points. A big mover, and described as a ‘winning machine’, she has also won in the show ring.

Lot 27 Caragh Van d’Abedijhoeve, reg 6yo gr m 16.2hh by Hector Van de Abdjhoeve out of Caragh Susy (Kings Master). This home-bred mare is the winner of 15 SJI points. Guaranteed an easy ride, she is a sibling to several graded jumpers including Caragh Trendy Master (1.30m and 186 SJI points). The second dam meanwhile is a half-sibling to the American-based event horse Shadow Inspector (CCI3*) and a full-sister to Caraghs Lucky Boy (CCI*). Lightly campaigned due to carrying a foal in 2020, she is suitable for an amateur rider.

Lot 31 Camaro Reukenis Z, reg 5yo b g 17.1hh by Cicero Z out of Une De Cash Greenfield (Cash). Fully warranted, and the winner of 10 SJI points to date, this Zangersheide-registered gelding has been slowly produced with his future in mind. Well related, he is a half-brother to the Spanish-based Eline (1.50m) and the John Crippen (GBR)-partnered Silver Wave (1.45m).

Lot 32 Kensington Ballyheerin Revel, reg 5yo b m 16.1hh by Esprit Van de Hoenderheide out of Quintina Z (Quinar Z). Having been competed to date by Janie Cairns, this young mare has a career total of 11 SJI points. Described as both genuine and talented, she is a mare with a bright future.

Lot 35 MBF Repeat, reg 5yo gr g 16.2hh by Cruising Encore out of Dans Irish Lamia (Bonnie Prince). Very attractively bred, this warranted grey has completed two EI events at 1m level and the equivalent height under SJI rules.

Lot 40 MTN Limmerick, reg 15yo b g 165cms by Limmerick out of Verona Princess (Zambrano). One of a sizeable consignment from the vendor Kieran Morrin, this genuine show jumping schoolmaster has clocked up a total of 389 SJI points. He has been competitive all the way through the levels, jumping happily from 1m to 1.40m at shows including Lanaken and several more in Europe. He has been ridden by both amateurs and professionals, and is happy to jump off any stride.

Hunters and all rounders

Lot 20 Lisatara Revilo One, reg 10yo ro g 15.3hh by Dunkerrin Grey Mist out of Brackagh Rose (Crannagh Hero). An Irish Draught gelding with a wealth of mileage, Revilo (Rocky) has carried the whip for two seasons. A good performer over any country and knowledgeable on the flat, and he has also hunter trialled.

Lot 37 Huntingfield Charlie, reg 9yo b g. Although his breeding is unknown, this experienced hunter has carried a master, and will cross any country, first or last.

Lot 39 Coolfin Grey Bouncer, reg 7yo gr g 16.2hh by Ballycurry Vanounou out of Coolfin August Molly (Creevagh Grey Rebel). This warranted all-rounder by the Grange Bouncer-sired Ballycurry Vanounou, is the winner of four SJI points, together with form in the hunting field (Galway Blazers) and arena eventing.

Lot 50 Striking Contender, reg 13yo gr g 16.2hh by Chacoa out of Young Striker (Maltstriker). A versatile all-rounder with good form in a variety of disciplines, this good moving gelding is a smart individual. He produces notable results on the flat, has show jumped up to 1.30m at unaffiliated level and, having whipped in on many occasions, will cross any country out hunting.

Lot 51 Ballycoog Heather Crest, reg 11yo gr m 163cms by Grange Bouncer out of Ballycoog Sea Diamond (Sea Crest). One for the traditionalists with an eye to breeding, this fully warranted mare has show jumped to win 10 SJI points to date. A Class 1 Irish Draught, she carries the diminishing Sea Crest bloodlines and is a sibling to two other graded horses.

Four-year-olds

Lot 52 Unnamed, reg 4yo b g 16.2hh by Quidam Junior out of Amamus (Zofonic). A well-related gelding out of a lightly raced thoroughbred dam, he is a half-brother to the British-based event horse Upper Class (CCI3*) and to the younger Zafairahs Symphony (37 FP). Slowly produced, he will have been hunted by the time of sale, and looks likely to make a top event horse.

Lot 60 Unnamed, reg 4yo pal f 16 hands by Tullabeg Fusion out of Glandoran Canal (Canal Laura’s Boy). A popular Connemara cross, this fully warranted filly has hunter trialled and competed at training shows. She is also hunted to date, and will cross any country.

Lot 67 Grantstown More Fusion, reg 4yo dn f 16.1hh by Tullabeg Fusion out of Grantstown Hopefull (Robin Des Pres). Featuring the popular sport horse/ thoroughbred cross, this good moving filly has been produced slowly. She has been competed at training shows and schooled across country.

Lot 71 Happyharryhopscotch, reg 4yo b g 16.3hh by Colandro out of Atlas More Aris (Touchdown). Up and running, this four-year-old has clocked up 14 SJI points to date and qualified for the Eventing Discovery finals at Millstreet in August. Thought suitable for either a professional or an amateur, he is now ready to move up to 1.10m level, and is currently autumn hunting.

Three-year-olds

Lot 78 Unnamed, reg 3yo br g 161cms by Lagans OBOS Quality out of Vivendi Girl (Ars Vivendi). From a proven competition family, this smart prospect is out of a half-sister to the Sophie Richards-partnered jumper Here And Now (35 SJI points), while the second dam (by Clover Hill) is a full-sister to the event horses Clever Hill and Shoeman.

Lot 81 Unnamed, reg 3yo b g 166cms by Koro D’Or out of Kelly Rose Lady (Easy Lift). The third foal out of a traditionally bred dam who is a sister to the Michael Ryan-ridden event horse Tomgar Rembrandt (CCI4*) and to Tomgar Horizon (CCI2*).

Lot 89 Unnamed, reg 3yo ch f 158cms by Wido out of Dunbolg Belle (Mr Clover). Although not over big, this well bred filly has plenty to recommend her. She is from a stout family, bring a half-sister to the British-based 1.40m performer Basil Broom (Harriet Biddick and Paul Crago), and by the Beijing Olympic sire Wido.

Lot 99 Killelton Oreo, reg 3yo gr g 163cms by Womanizer out of Frozen Cello (Arctic Lord). By the highly ranked event sire Womanizer (sire of the five-star performer CSF Cooliser among others), this gelding also sports a stout dam line. Out of an unraced thoroughbred dam, he is a half-brother to the British-based event horse Ozzies Gem (CCI*) and to the younger Killelton Jack.

Lot 104 Hayfield Flynn, reg 3yo b g 16.3hh by Munther out of Floating Valley (Brookfield Floating Lux - not as in catalogue). One for the showmen, this high class gelding won his class at the RDS this year and was placed reserve for the Pembroke Cup championship.

Lot 105 Ardragh Celtic Breeze, reg 3yo b f 16 hands by Celtic Hero B Z out of Ardragh GI Jane (Conquistador). Attractively bred by one of the year’s most consistent sale-topping sires, this filly is a half-sister to Ardragh Me O Moy (1.35m) currently jumping with Dutch rider Ivo Biessen. Also, to Ardragh Tim Tam (1.30), campaigned on home soil by Michael Cave.

Factfile

MICHAEL DONOHOE & SONS.

Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

Telephone: 0599775145 Fax 0599775541

Email: goresbridgesales@tinet.ie

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Thursday, December 1st December Performance Sale

Time: 11am

Total lots: 139 lots – plus supplementary catalogue

Last year’s top lot: No corresponding sale.