A four-year-old son of Iroko headed one of the strongest sales of the year at Goresbridge last week. Selling for €14,500, Priestown Rocco was the highlight of a lively three days. The renewal recorded healthy clearance rates and attracted a full quota of overseas buyers on each of the three days. Goresbridge auctioneer Martin Donohoe commented: “I have never seen so many new faces. Against the negativity over the sterling, it’s been the best sale for several years and very encouraging for everyone.”

Once again it was the older stock that had the biggest impact, but bettering last year in all sectors the figures revealed that 69% (68% in 2015) of the older stock changed hands, while encouragingly the four-year-olds also improved to deliver 79% (74.%). Unsurprisingly, trade steadied for the three-year-olds, but nevertheless the age group still produced an upturn of 52% (40%).

Sale-topper

Clearly heading the table at €14,500, and featuring a blacktype pedigree as well as ability, was Brid McGuinness’s well-related gelding by Iroko. A half-brother to the smart BP Castlefield (Francis Connors), who jumped in Lanaken recently, the Tom Taite-bred gelding was the third foal out of the grade A show jumper Wendoliene (AKA Syriana) by Darco. Impressively ridden by Gemma Phelan, and the subject of considerable interest in the ring, he was eventually secured by English show jumping rider Kelly Roberts.

Demand for hunters and competition horses with form remained strong throughout, and setting Wednesday off to a good start was David Williams’ home-bred show jumping mare Wellview Lucy by Wellview Cedric. Only a five-year-old, the mare had been well placed in her age classes this summer, and changing hands for €9,000 was knocked down to Co Longford’s Joe Byrne. Byrne was buying on behalf of his show jumping daughter Aisling, who had partnered the dam Wellview Classic Dream to win the Amateur Grand Prix at the Liverpool International earlier this year.

Another five-year-old with notable competition form was Mary Ellen Rice’s Cool Barter, a home-bred gelding with 18 SJI points. A son of Omar (Darco), he was out of the useful 1.30m jumping mare Dreamers Light and looked well bought by Oxfordshire-based show jumper Phoebe Nugent for €8,400.

Luke Drea’s event horse Bee On Track caught the eye on Wednesday morning. The Kings Master gelding had clocked up 7 EI points in just a few outings this season, and, although led out unsold, was quickly secured by Yorkshire producer Graham Sugden for €7,500.

Also making an impact was Joe Furlong’s Derawley Lady, a six-year-old skewbald mare by Cushleake Clover. Bought through the same ring two years ago, and selling for €6,600 she was knocked down to Ian Dowie (Runningwell Equestrian Centre).

Trade for hunters stood up well, and another notable return fell to Jim Whelan’s Zorro, a six-year-old gelding (breeding unknown). Jim Derwin paid €6,300 for this experienced hunter, who had followed the Bree hounds for two seasons.

Fout-year-olds

The four-year-old market held up well. Buyers clustered throughout, and contributed to a very strong clearance of 79%. Eighteen lots (from the 58 on offer) made in excess of €4,000, and while none could come close to the sale-topper, several realised notable returns. Standing out among them was Mary Kehoe’s Ballintrane Incentive, a gelding by Inocent (dam by Cruise On).

Jason Higgins showcased this smart prospect, who at €6,600 was snapped up by Mel Jones (on behalf of former British international event rider Rodney Powell).

Swiss customer Markus Gasser secured Frank Gordon and Ita McDermott’s promising show jumper Archie. The son of VDL Arkansas (dam by Clover Hill) realised €6,100, and had been well placed in the Cavan four-year-old finals earlier in the year.

Three-year-olds

With a clearance of 52%, buyers remained selective, but one to impress was Dessie Gibson’s traditionally bred son of the thoroughbred Waveney (dam by Puissance) who realised the day’s top price of €8,000. Bred by Joe Neville and sourced at the same venue as a foal, he was another heading for the event yard of Rodney Powell.

The home buyers accounted for the majority of the better-priced lots however, and featuring prominently were Co Wexford buyers Jason Higgins and Tomas Doyle. The former secured Dionne Leathem’s home-bred Mohill Theodoarble (Sir Shutterfly) for €7,300, while Doyle signed for Daphne Tierney’s gelding by Emperor Augustus for €7,000, as well as Anne Marie Pender’s son of Rainstown Hollow at €6,800.

A further 11 lots made in excess of €4,000, including a son of VDL Douglas, who was knocked down to Eamon McIntyre for €6,200 and Bobby Moore’s home-bred gelding by Dilshan who went to Simon Kelly at €5,900.

Ponies

Heading the selection of the 55% who changed hands was the four-year-old Carracanada Melody by I Love You Melody (dam by Westside Mirah).

Co Galway producer Kieron Egan paid €3,500 for this smart dun, while Imagine Sport Horses secured the experienced jumping pony Mr Paperazzi (23) for €3,000.