An Irish Draught stallion and a Grade A jumping pony were the stars of the show at Cavan last week, where they topped the one-day opener at €10,000 apiece.

While the remaining returns were fairly modest in comparison, trade was busy throughout and 70% (73% in 2017) of the stock changed hands. The average was also in line with last year at €2,730 (€2,726), and driven largely by the commercial buyers, demand was at its strongest in the pony sector.

SALE TOPPERS

Selling as one of the early lots, the sale ring burst into life when Noel Cosgrove’s jumping pony Mohill Magic was knocked down to Tuam’s John Lowry for €10,000. The 11-year-old had been a sale topper at the same venue back in 2015, and in the interim had moved through the ranks to grade A status.

A much-loved family member, and only sold because Cosgrove’s daughter Rachel is out of the age group, it was a sad day for connections, but a good one for the successful buyer. “I have bought her for my 14-year-old daughter Aoibhinn to jump this season,” said the delighted Lowry. “I had seen her competing last year and tried to buy her then.”

Much later in the day, it was the turn of Glenn Knipe’s Farmhill Highlander to impress. The good moving Irish Draught stallion certainly filled the eye, and having passed his inspection with a high rating, is the only approved son of WRS Sunrich to stand at stud in Ireland.

Surprisingly, he failed to sell in the ring, but was later secured by Westport stallion man Eoin Hallinan. As the former owner of the renowned Ginger Dick, Hallinan will stand him this season, as well as lightly compete him under saddle.

Bred by Leslie Landen in Co Kilkenny, out of the dam Mizen Holly by Coolcronan Wood, Farmhill Highlander was sourced from Donal Shine as a potential heavyweight show horse.

“He was a two-year-old, and as I was constantly being told it would be criminal to castrate him, so I presented him for inspection and he was approved last year,” explained Knipe.

INFLUENTIAL FACTORS

The trade for well-produced, quiet ponies was solid, and with the smaller species filling almost half the catalogue, buyers from Sweden and Belgium dominated the returns. The latter contingent led by Irishman Andrew Bonelli-Baird accounted for a total of 18 lots, while a further eight are bound for Sweden.

Prices dipped with appearance of the horses but steadied during the day as the better produced lots came forward. Trade customers outnumbered those from the private sector by a distance and were influential in all areas.

At €7,000 the best of the horse prices fell to Emily Fleming’s well related Leestone Indoctro, a six-year-old by Indoctro out of Oakland Imp (Ballinvella). Carrying a career total of 13 SJI points and produced on the day by Co Laois rider Barry Griffin, he was one of seven lots secured by trader Jim Derwin.

Another six-year-old to stand out was William Anderson’s traditionally bred gelding Loughmelvin Spiorad who is one of the last crop from the prolific sire Holycross. A very good sort, he attracted a number of bidders before the hammer fell in favour of Yorkshire dealer Graham Sugden.

PONIES

Sale topper aside, Thomas Widger’s homebred five-year-old mare Grantstown Wonder also sold well at €6,200. Lancashire producer Alan Fazakerley signed the docket while Kent dealer John Gardiner paid €4,200 for Dolores O’Brien’s experienced Connemara mare Blackfort Girl by Corrib Prince.

Just five of the three and four-year-olds changed hands at the end of the day, with Paddy Dunning’s three-year-old by Womanizer selling to Jim Derwin for the top return of €4,800.

TOP RETURNS

• Noel Cosgrove’s Mohill Magic, 11 yo m 148cms €10,000

• Glenn Knipe’s Farmhill Highlander, 6 yo stallion by WRS Sunrich (dam by Coolcronan Wood) €10,000

• Emily Fleming’s Leestone Indoctro, Imp, 6 yo g by Indoctro (dam by Ballinvella) €7,000.

• Thomas Widger’s Grantstown Wonder, 5 yo m 148cms by Cheeky Boots (dam by Templebready Fear Bui) €6,200.

• P. Dunning’s 3 yo g by Womanizer (dam by Crosstown Dancer) €4,800.

William Anderson’s 6 yo g by Holy Cross (dam by welcome Flagmount) €4,800