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Very good in parts, and very tricky in others: that was the summing up of the foal trade at Goresbridge last week, where prices fluctuated throughout. Running over two days, the renewal followed the trends – with foals from high class jumping families reaping the best rewards.
At the other end of the scale – where prices ranged from €400 - €16,500, breeders had a fairly tough ride. As a result, the average closed at a similar figure to last year at €3,325 (€3,364), while the clearance was also almost identical at 48% (47%).
It came as no surprise to see the foreign sires dominating the higher returns, and while the outnumbered thoroughbred and Irish sport horse stallions struggled in comparison, their impact was not insignificant.
SALE TOPPER
As the obvious pre-sale catalogue pick, Pat Kehoe’s chestnut colt ABC Dettori did not disappoint. Selling during a very lively period on Saturday afternoon, the chestnut earned plenty of plaudits, before he eventually changed hands at €16,500. A July foal, the SIEC Livello-sired colt is beautifully bred, and out of Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser, is a half-brother to no less than five international jumpers including ABC Quantum Cruise (1.60m) and the younger ABC Private Jet (1.50m). It was later disclosed that the successful buyer was Melanie Davidson who, bidding online, was a previous owner of successful half-sister and international performer ABC Cortana Cruise.
NOTABLES
The majority of the notable returns emerged from Saturday’s session, which accounted for all four and five figure returns. Sale topper aside, the remainder clustered well, with Roscommon’s Stephen Reilly landing the next best price at €11,000.
This fell to his Creevyquin Commander, a smart colt by Comme Il Fault out of the attractively bred Inea VDL (Tinkas Boy).
Bearing Reilly’s trademark slick presentation, the colt hails from a strong continental black type maternal family, which features Cermont (1.50m) among the numerous international jumpers. Having won a long battle with a determined telephone bidder, the hammer finally fell in favour of Newcastle West buyer Lisa Griffin, who plans to store the colt before producing him under saddle.
Just a few lots earlier, the colt CSF Denzel also turned heads when selling for a healthy €10,500. An offering from the strong CSF (Connolly) consignment, this colt was by Dorian Grey TN Z out of the noted broodmare CSF Tell Of Clover (Ars Vivendi). Already a sibling to several up-and-coming performers, and from the immediate family of Ireland’s much admired squad horse James Kann Cruz (1.60m), the colt looked well bought by Co Meath’s Trade Horses Ltd.
Recognisable pedigree
The final five figure sum of €10,000 went to Flan Coughlan’s unnamed bay colt by the ever-popular Luidam. Featuring a more recognisable pedigree, he is the first foal out of Ceatharlia Viv by Vivant Van De Heffinck, who’s own maternal line goes back to Master Imp and Clover Hill.
While colts dominated, the best filly return at €9,200 went to Dermot O’Sullivan’s interestingly bred filly who, by the 128cms French show jumping stallion Very Star Kerveyer, was out of last year’s sale-topping dam BP Mystico (Indoctro). Destined for and bred to be a pony jumper, he was secured by producers Trevor Horgan and Kieran Feeney.
Looking down the returns, the award for the top thoroughbred sired foal at €3,700 went to Donal Goland’s Ballinglan Velvet Rebel, a colt by Goland’s own stallion Financial Reward out of Ballinglen Mountain Velvet (Rebel Mountain). A yearling by Centennial also sold well at €3,100, while heading the broodmare sector at €3,000 was a four-year-old filly by Pointilliste (dam by Coevers Diamond Boy).
Sale Toppers
Pat Kehoe’s ABC Dettori, colt foal by SIEC Livello (dam by Cruising) €16,500.
Stephen Reilly’s Creevyquin Commander, colt foal by Comme Il Faut (dam by Tinkas Boy) €11,000.
Patrick Connolly’s CSF Denzil, colt foal by Dorian Grey TN Z (dam by Ars Vivendi) €10,500.
Flan Coughlan’s unnamed colt foal by Luidam (dam by Vivant Van De Heffinck) €10,000.
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