Horse trade from Ireland into the diverse USA market is said to be “massive” at the moment.

To find out why, I spoke with two Irish agents that between them have close to 50 years’ experience in trading in the US, and have just returned from visits to the huge shows in Wellington and Ocala – Paul Larkin and Barry O’Connor.

“There are so many people riding there, if I have a promising six- or seven-year-old for sale there will be up to 10 people to buy it,” says Paul, who recently sold four Irish-breds.

They were by Cruising, Lux Z, Mr Blue, along with one Irish Draught by Huntingfield Rebel that went to an owner in Alaska.

That same owner also bought the Dublin 2012 Connemara performance champion and is looking for more horses.

Barry notes that we are now seeing a “tipping point for Irish horse sales because of the huge network of Irish people in the US. They are an invaluable asset through the respect they have built up for all things Irish”.

He adds: “If someone is looking for a trainer, a yard manager, a groom or a rider, they are happy to look toward the Irish diaspora to fill the post. In addition to the US, we have important communication with key people on every continent.”

Both Barry and Paul emphasise the incredible impact that the internet has made.

“If I put up a horse on Facebook I can have up to 12 replies within the hour. The Americans are completely cued in to this type of thing and it makes the whole business much easier,” says Paul.

“Irish Horse TV is watched religiously and if a nice one shows up at any one of our national competitions it is noted by agents all over the world,” adds Barry.

He also says that trade for quality animals is definitely lifting.

“These are wealthy buyers and they are spending their money on a luxury. It has to be good looking, easy to handle, rideable and able to adjust to distances. The huge amateur market is changing. Instead of jumping 1.10m, they have become more competitive and are jumping up to 1.40m.”

Paul is enthusiastic about Wellington: “This is the greatest trading show in the world. There are thousands of horses and all of the world’s top 10 riders are there. At the moment, there is a great shortage of top horses for every team, even the best riders cannot buy them.

“So they have to get the promising six- or seven-year-olds and bring them on. With the new Grand Slam competition, a good horse could win up to $10m in a given season. That also helps trade.”

Flexing for sale

Paul Larkin is not just about selling out of the country. He is passionate about keeping good mares here in an effort to secure the future of Irish Sport Horse breeding. Right now Paul is selling the experienced, international show jumping mare Flexing. He would like to create a syndicate that would keep her breeding here and he’s looking for a client or investor. Flexing is well known to Irish breeders as she holds the distinct honour of being the highest-ranked Irish Sport Horse/mare in the world.

Flexing is a 1999 bay mare by Cruising, out of Flex, by Safari (TB). She was bred by Catherine Doyle in Co Kildare. She is a full-sister to Flexible.

“Flexing’s American owners want to sell her,” says Paul. “There is lots of interest in the mare outside Ireland, but then she would be lost to the Irish breeding herd. The ideal situation would be that she is kept in the country for Irish breeders.”

Paul’s daughter, Emelie (below on Flexing), currently competes the mare and he is hoping that some arrangement can be worked out so that this situation remains in place.

All enquiries are welcome and although unwilling to put a price on her, Paul assures me a deal can be struck. He can be contacted on 086-250-9927 or by email, paul@larkinbros.ie

– JF