THERE were contrasting fortunes for breeders at Goresbridge last week as, following Monday’s sparkling and highly successful sale of three-year-old show jumpers, the annual foal renewal delivered a dose of reality.

Despite a trio of five-figure prices and a further dozen or so of satisfying returns, the two-day sale was an overall muted affair with limited demand. Doing little to ease breeders’ concerns, the closing figures revealed a disappointing clearance of 42% (46% in 2024 and 47% in 2023), together with a marginally-reduced average of €2,935 (€3,202 and €3,325).