IN welcome news to breeders, the top price at last Sunday’s one-day Connemara Pony sale in Clifden was €10,000, slightly exceeding that of the same renewal last year. Of the 236 catalogued entries (up from 186 in 2024), 186 went through the ring and 155 were sold representing a healthy 83% clearance rate (77% in 2024).

Some 34 ponies sold on the day were bought by online bidders and 23 are bound for Belgium, thanks to the buying power of SDV Horses; 36 ponies are bound for the UK and three were transported to France. Hannah Taylor and Patrick O’Gorman signed for 16 lots, while Edward Burke signed for 12; Niall Daly signed for seven, Bryan Dagg signed for six and Kevin Reilly bought three.