THE sales action returns to breeding stock next week, as the team at Goresbridge stage their annual renewal of yearlings, foals and broodmares.

Kicking off on Thursday and running over three days, the sale is a traditional benchmark for foals of all bloodlines, pedigrees and disciplines and with new sires hoping to make an impact, it is always an interesting event.

Positively, the catalogue of 406 entries (343 in 2021) is well up from the previous two years, which has resulted in this year’s extra day of trading.

Last year’s top price was a record-breaking €35,000, and while this may or may not be surpassed, there are plenty of stoutly bred foals on offer. Among them is a foal from the immediate family of both the recent Lanaken gold medallist ABC Saving Grace and world number one-ranked Irish-bred jumper ABC Quantum Cruise, while another lot forward is a half-brother to a Tokyo Olympic event horse.

The extensive list of covering sires has a refreshing new leader in HHS Cornet, a son of Cornet Obolensky who stands with the Hughes/Bravo family in Co Kilkenny. Having featured for the first time in the tables last year, he leads the way with 19 foals forward, two more than the Slyguff Stud’s popular thoroughbred sire Pointilliste.

The latter is the stand out in the thoroughbred ranks, while other stallions to appear in number are Lagans OBOS Quality (13), as well as Conticco, Castlefield Kingston, Sligo Candy Boy and Vivant Van de Heffinck all with 11 apiece. Last week’s sale-topping sire Tyson is also well represented.

As usual, Thursday’s action opens with a selection of broodmares, yearlings and foals, while both Friday and Saturday’s traditionally strong session are solely confined to foals. The yearlings look particularly strong this year, while the broodmares vary.

The catalogue picks are too numerous to mention in their entirety and those featured below are just a broad cross section of modern and traditional breeding.

Thursday

Yearlings

Lot 8 Rosemary, reg 1 yo gr f 15hh by Zirocco Blue out of Clim Bim (Cassis). This attractively bred filly is the second foal out of the good international mare Clim Bim (1.50m) who was partnered by Cameron Hanley, Ger O’Neill and Vincent Byrne.

Lot 17 Cosmopolitan Twist, reg 1 yo ro c 157 cms by Murkas Gem out of Cherrymount Capachino (Sinatra). By the Gem Twist clone Murkas Gem (TB) this smart yearling carries 78% thoroughbred blood, and was the winner of the Eventing Foal championship in 2021. The dam is an HSI select status mare, and is a full-sister to the event horse Sinatra Frank Baby (CIC3*). This colt is also eligible for the HSI colt retention scheme.

Lot 19 Starlink, reg 1 yo b g 15.3hh by KMS Rooney out of HSB Venus Lady (Waldo Van Dungen). The first foal out of the dam who is a half-sister to the classy Oasis Spirit (1.50m) – an American-based performer ridden by British international Amanda Derbyshire. Adding depth, the second dam is a sibling to Ballycapple Cadenza (1.45m).

Lot 21 Unnamed, reg 1 yo b f by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Ballycreen Tushie (Kings Master). A possible for either the show men or the eventing customers, this yearling is out of a full-sister to the event horse Ballycreen Milord (CCI4*) as well as to the British-based show winner Ballycreen His Lordship.

Foals

Lot 44 CSF Queenie, reg b f f by Mr Quincy B out of Kimono Sash (Vivaldo van het Costersveld). An exceptionally well-related filly whose dam jumped to 1.35m with the breeder Aisling McGreal, and is a sister to Beir Bua (1.45m) and to Dunganstown Boy (1.45m). The second dam is a full-sister to Rincoola Abu, who bred Rincoola Milsean (1.50m) as well as the double pony gold medallist Rincoola Babog (James Derwin).

Lot 49, reg ch c f by Ascalon out of Fast Morning Flight (Errigal Flight). By a thoroughbred, this very well-bred colt is a half-brother to MP Imagine If (CCI4*) who competed at the Tokyo Olympic Games and also the 2021 European championships with Russian rider Mikhail Nastenko. Also to Ballyengland Judge (CCI2*).

Broodmares

Lot 45 Shannondale Eylie, reg 15 yo ch m by Guidam out of Clover Flight (Errigal Flight). Dam of Shannondale Remus (1.30m) while the second dam has bred Sceal Eile (1.55m) and Killygordan (1.45m). This well-related mare is in foal to Canturex, a grey stallion by Canturano, who in turn is by Canturo, sire of the legendary event stallion Upsilon.

Friday

Lot 138 Unnamed, reg f f by SIEC Livello out of LSF Gifted Lady (Guidam). By the popular Livello, the second dam of this well-bred filly is the Aga Khan winning Irish Independent Annabella (1.60m), ridden by Cian O’Connor.

Lot 143 Unnamed, reg b f f by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of Star Iris (OBOS Quality). The first foal out of a half-sister to Cavalier Crystal (CCI4*) ridden by Harry Meade, and to Ardenteggle Poltarf (1.50m) among others. The prolific family also features the event horse Another Cavalier (CCI4*) and the jumper Leanorth Soda Pop (1.40m).

Lot 181 Unnamed, reg ch c f by Rosier out of Athas Amach (Master Imp). One of a minority to be bred on entirely traditional lines, this thoroughbred- sired colt is a half-brother to the up and coming Brookfield Braveheart (CCI3*) ridden by Olympic gold medallist Tom McEwan. Also to Happy Chirpy Charlie, a promising four-year-old with Cathal Daniels.

Lot 232 Unnamed, reg b f f by Sligo Candy Boy out of KG Star (Lux Z). One of a number catalogued by the popular sire, this filly hails from a top-class family. The dam jumped internationally to 1.30m before retiring to stud and is a half-sister to the 1.50m performers Lough Foyle and River Foyle, as well as a full-sister to Cruising Lux (1.30m), who as a five-year-old represented Ireland in Lanaken.

Saturday

Lot 264 Pitch Perfect, reg gr c f by Perigueux out of High Jump (Casall). Hailing from a top continental performance line and with 1.60m jumpers on both sides of the pedigree, this colt is out of a half-sister to the World Cup winner Levis (1.60m) ridden in Germany by Martin Schaeufler. Also, to Carry’s Son (1.60m), Casino (1.45m) and Costa Rica (1.35m). Her second and third dam also produced numerous 1.60m jumpers.

Lot 273 UPS Calvastar, reg b c f by Calvador Z out of Molly C (Pacino). From a high-class dual-purpose family, this colt is out of a full-sister to Hilton Pacifico (CSI5* 1.45m) and to Chino C, dam of the dual Lanaken participant Pablo C. Dam is also a half-sister to the event horse Master Douglas (CCI5*) and to Serpico (1.60m CSI5*).

Lot 299 Unnamed, gr c f by ESI Romeo out of Sea Paris Blue (Christian). By a highly rated four-year-old son of Eldorado, and out of a half-sister to Sea Topblue (1.60m) who was a member of the winning Nations Cup squad in Langley (Canada) this year, and placed fourth in the Grand Prix in the RDS in August.

Lot 305 Creevyquinn Forthargos, reg b c f by Conthargos out of Inea VDL (Tinkas Boy). One of two lots from the Creevyquin Stud, this colt features a stout continental maternal line. He is the third foal out of Inea VDL, who is a sister to six international jumpers, among which are Amzes (1.45m) and Elinea (1.40m). Notably the dam is also a sibling to Winea, who bred Cermont (1.50m).

Lot 318 Unnamed, reg ch c f by Pointilliste out of Miss Conci (Ghareeb). Possibly one for the showing fraternity, this traditionally bred colt is out of a RDS and Balmoral champion broodmare. He is also half-brother to Lady Aster who is eventing in the U.K.

Lot 352 ABC Best Guest, reg b f f by Castlefield Kingston out of ABC About Alice (OBOS Quality). Possibly the pick of the catalogue and carrying a red-hot pedigree, this filly is by an exciting young sire out of a full-sister to the current WBFSH top ranked Irish-bred jumper ABC Quantum Cruise (1.60m). More topically, the dam is also a half-sister to the recent Lanaken six-year-old gold medallist ABC Saving Grace (Ethen Ahearne), as well as to ABC Private Jet (1.50m). Interestingly the dam, who is only a four-year-old is now broken and riding and, showing great promise, will be produced by Ethen Ahearne next year.

Lot 359 Unnamed, reg br f f by Lagans OBOS Quality out of Rocks Imp (Master Imp). From a proven and very versatile family, this filly is out of a sibling to the Pan Am Games medallist Ballingowan Pizazz (CCI4*) as well as to the five-star event horse Shannondale Titan. In addition, she is a sister to La Vie En Rose, dam of SRS Kan Do (CCI5*) who was placed at Pau last year.

Lot 386 Unnamed, reg br c f by Vittorio out of Miss Gui Khan (Guidam). By the smart Vittorio, the dam is a sibling to Quick Jack (1.40m) and to Currafin (1.45m) ridden by Ger O’Neill. Others to feature in the maternal family are Newmarket Venture Clover (1.60m), Clarkes Ferro (1.60m), Hollypark Pacino (1.50m), etc.

Lot 389 Assagart Imperious, reg b c f by Lansdown out of Assagart Fairytale (Coroner). The champion foal at Balmoral this year and a winner at Clonmel, this colt is out of a show-winning mare, who was champion at Balmoral last year, and reserve at the RDS this August. She is also a half-sister to the two-star event horse Assagart Earl.

Lot 406 Unnamed, reg b c f by HHS Cornet out of Royal Queen (Pointilliste). One of a large consignment from the Byrne family this is a smartly bred colt. The pedigree features both Cavalier Royale and Master Imp, while the third dam is a full-sister to Leamore Master Plan (CCI5*) who represented Team USA at the recent World event championships in Pratoni.

Michael Donohoe & Sons

Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

Telephone: 059-9775145

Fax: 059-9775541

Email: info@goresbridge.com

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Date: 13th - 15th October, 2022

Time: 11.00 each day.

Friday: Broodmares, yearlings and foals.

Saturday: Foals including special selection.

Total lots: 406

Last year’s top lot: Patrick Connolly’s CSF Willow, filly foal by Zirocco Blue (dam by Cruising) €35,000.