A modest renewal at Goresbridge last Friday brought the curtain down on a sales year that has delivered consistently good trade throughout.

Once again, the sale was well attended, but not unusually for this time of year, the stock on offer was mixed, and this was reflected in the returns.

Just one lot achieved five figures, while both the clearance and the average illustrated a downturn from 12 months ago.

Closing at 60%, which was three points in arrears from 2022, the average also dipped to reveal a figure of €4,322 in comparison to €5,372.

Only the final session of three-year-olds showed an improvement as 71% (69%) changed hands, albeit with an unexceptional average of €4,129.

While these figures were rather let down by the quality of the ridden horses, there was a good demand for quiet individuals, and most notably for those with competition or hunting form.

Lot 138, Tom Meegan’s Lets Prove Them Wrong sold for €9,000. \ Sally Parkyn

Sale topper

While it is usually the professional yards making the headlines, last week’s renewal was topped by Lisa McGinnity’s home-produced West House Spencer, a traditionally bred six-year-old by Dunbeggan Grey Mist out of the thoroughbred dam Poor Box by Witness Box. Bred by Edward McCoppin, the grey gelding was bought as an unbroken three-year-old, and has been produced throughout by 17-year-old Rosie Flanagan. Having since clocked up 10 SJI points, he ticked all the boxes for successful British buyer Jo Tavernor who signed the docket at €10,000.

Older horses

Yorkshire-based trader Graham Sugden was in strong form at ringside, and he accounted for two mares with plenty of mileage. First up, he paid €9,000 for Tom Meegan’s Lets Prove Them Wrong, a six-year-old daughter of Derg Showtime out of DS Lily by Sir Shutterfly. Well ridden by JP Meegan, the David Moran-bred grey had competed in training shows, and importantly for Sugden, was fully warranted in all respects. Much earlier in the proceedings, Sugden signed the docket at €8,500 for Rachel Hughes’ Cosmic Girl, a five-year-old home bred mare by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Alanas Jewel by Chacoa. Well related, she is a half-sister to the smart jumper Smalltown Boy, who was placed in the five-year-old championship at the RDS.

Four-year-olds

Usually the banker of the age groups, the demand for four-year-olds was very selective and probably mirrored the quality on offer. Heading the sector at €8,200 was Tom Whyte’s Ardagh Apollo, an attractively bred 15.2 hands gelding by Ganesh Hero out of Ardagh Venus by Puissance. Homebred and produced for sale by Diarmuid Ryan, Ardagh Apollo is out of a full-sister to two international event horses, one of which is the CCI3* mare Ladycraft. The gelding looked well bought by Fethard based event rider and producer Paul Donovan. Selling just one lot earlier, Alison Irwin’s Casper C, changed hands for €7,500. This diminutive cob had hunted a full season with the Donegal Harriers and was secured online by American customer, Ian Michaels.

Three-year-olds

Featuring among the better related lots on offer was Bernadette Boland’s Portphilip Danny Boy, a gelding by the popular Big Dan Du Rouet out of Portphilip Cruise by Cruising. Knocked down to Westmeath customer Terry Whyte for €9,200, this homebred is a sibling to numerous international horses, including Portphilip Jones (CCI4*) and the 1.35m jumper Portphilip Dioscruise. Another to appeal was John Aherne’s imported Uno Van Het Havelaar, a gelding by Lembrion De Narcotique (dam by Landor). British based five-star event rider Max Warburton accounted for this one at €8,500.

Ponies

It was a modest trade overall, but standing out to easily top the division at €8,200 was the Howard family’s very experienced performance pony Highmightybitofapickle. Standing just 133cms, this eight-year-old gelding had a wealth of competition and hunting mileage under his belt, and was described as a wonderful all-rounder.

Lot 17, Rachel Hughes’ Cosmic Girl sold for €8,500. \ Sally Parkyn

Top returns

Lisa McGinnity’s West House Spencer, six-year-old gelding by Dunbeggan Grey Mist (dam by Witness Box) €10,000.

Bernadette Boland’s Portphilip Danny Boy, three-year-old gelding by Big Dan Du Rouet (dam by Cruising) €9,200.

Tom Meegan’s Lets Prove Them Wrong, six-year-old mare by Derg Showtime (dam by Sir Shutterfly) €9,000.

Rachel Hughes’ Cosmic Girl, five-year-old mare by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (Chacoa) €8,500.

John Aherne’s Uno Van Het Havelaar, three-year-old gelding by Lembrion De Narcotique (dam by Landor) €8,500.

Tom Whyte’s Ardagh Apollo, four-year-old gelding by Ganesh Hero Z (dam by Puissance) €8,200.