Overseas buyers were out in force at Goresbridge last week, where they contributed strongly to a busy two days of trading. Securing the majority of the top priced lots, and in many cases outbidding the commercial buyers, it was the British customers who proved the most determined. Their input certainly boosted the market and the figures, which – as anticipated, had steadied from the outstanding trade of twelve months ago.

This dip was probably also due to the mixed stock on offer, and certainly there were buyers aplenty for the correct individual.

At the close of play, a four-year-old son of the Irish Draught sire Scrapman headed the returns at €26,000, and as prices spread well across the age groups, a further ten lots realised in excess of €10,000.

Looking at the figures, the older horses showed a clearance deficit but an increased average of €6.025 (€5.547), while the four-year-old session retained it’s 80% clearance from 2022, albeit with in a dip in average to €6,016 (€7,004). As expected, the selection of three-year-olds varied in quality, with the result that 57% (63%) changed hands at a slightly lessened average of €4,383 (€4,878).

SALE TOPPER

Unusually, and welcomed by many, an Irish Draught-sired gelding headed the two-day figures at a healthy €26,000. Consigned by Mark English, who had sourced him through the same sale ring last September, the Jim McNulty-bred four-year-old was by the former Drumhowan Stud resident Scrapman out of Edenagor Enya who, by Loughehoe Guy, was out of the Ekstein sired mare Shannondale Spirit.

A real eyecatcher on the day under Diarmuid Ryan, it was unsurprising to see bids appearing from all quarters, until the hammer finally fell in favour of Scottish buyer Louise McDonald at €26,000. Paying only her second visit to the venue, McDonald accounted for five lots over the two days, with the view to producing them through the eventing and showing ranks.

NOTABLES

Next in line at €17,500 was Nathan and Jason Daly’s Nibolensky, an imported five-year-old by Ibolensky (KWPN) out of Hayaloma (Canturano). Bought two years ago, and now the winner of 32 SJI points, he was snapped up online by Norwegian customer Kirsten Granlund.

Yielding the best returns and clearance, the four-year-olds delivered not only the sale topper, but a further three, four figure returns.

Heading these at €13,000 was Sam Carey’s gelding by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of an unnamed mare by Ramiro B. Another lot in high demand, he was one of four lots secured by British international event rider Max Warburton.

Prices in the three-year-old sector mirrored the quality on offer, and one of the obvious stand outs was Alannah Morgan’s homebred gelding by Womanizer out of Hermes Cavalier Diamond (by Hermes de Reve).

British international show jumper Holly Smith signed for this smart sort at €14,000, while later in the evening the McDonald family added to their purchases when paying €11,500 for Richard Doyle’s Cornets Connery, a gelding by HHS Cornet out of the jumping mare Clim Bim (Cassus).

PONIES

Setting the ball rolling in good style, Debbie Flavin’s four-year-old, 138cm dun gelding Balleyerk Jessie headed the opening pony group at €9,500.

Sourced directly from the Ballerk Connemara Stud, the smart dun was secured by agent John Tuthill, on behalf of a Lambourn based client.