Sales

Sally Parkyn

The final four days at Goresbridge focussed on the three-year-olds, and was highlighted by a cluster of five figure returns. Overall however, the trade was inconsistent and divided, and while some breeders and producers hit the heights, the resulting returns fell short. On the plus side, those who did sell well certainly reaped the rewards, but these prices were offset by a moderate clearance of 48% together with an average price of €3,468.

At the close of play, seven lots realised five-figure returns, the best of which at €17,000 fell to Shane Nolan’s sale topper by Ars Vivendi. A good mover, and an impressive jumper, the Thomas Lynch-bred gelding was knocked down to British international event rider Oliver Townend. The fact that he carried a high quota of thoroughbred blood through his dam Remembering Lissy (Little Interest) appealed to the buyer who commented: “He looked an athlete, and had loads of blood to make a top one.” Co Wexford pin hooker Nolan sourced his sale-topper last year, revealing that he also owns a full sister and a brother.

A good turnout of show jumpers and event buyers battled for the better lots between them, and one that could be headed for either sphere is David Keane’s well related home-bred Kereen Companion, again by Ars Vivendi. Hailing from the maternal family of the top show jumpers Krafty Kate and Krafty Jack, he was secured by Paul and Beverley Caves for €16,500. “It’s been hard to find a nice one,” Beverley Caves remarked. “The fact that this one had a set of X-rays was definitely a bonus, and probably made us braver to bid on.”

MIDNIGHT FLY

Each day delivered a few good returns, and another lot to impress on Wednesday was Brandon View Stud’s Midnight Fly by Sir Shutterfly (dam by Ricardo Z). John Kearney, acting on behalf of Jim Derwin, signed for this smart individual, who changed hands for a healthy €16,000.

Boasting black type on both sides of the pedigree, Tom Magee’s Dunaghmore also carried a €16,000 price tag. Exceptionally well related by Ustinov, he is out of the top five-star broodmare Icing (Cruising) and is a sibling to Derryinver Luxury Cruise (1.50m) and to Nonstop (1.50m). Despite some considerable interest, he was initially led out unsold, but soon secured by show jumping owner Paul Murphy. The Co Kildare buyer later disclosed that he also owns the three-parts brother, Tuilleadh Uisce Beath, who was competing in Lanaken last weekend.

Among the remaining high returns was Pat McDonnell’s home-bred gelding by the family’s resident sire Castlecomer Q (dam by Colin Diamond). Selling for €13,500, he looked well bought by Ger O’Brien of Co Kilkenny’s Raheen Na Gun Stud. “He is a good a horse to jump here as I’ve seen all week,” he said afterwards.

While most of the sale-toppers were home-bred, the Brian Flynn consigned gelding by Durango VDL had been imported from Holland last year. The bay looked impressive when jumping under lights, and was snapped up by Robert Wade for €13,000. Selling much earlier on the same day, Eddie Burke’s home-bred gelding by Kannan (dam by Clover Flush) changed hands privately for €10,000 to Waterford’s Michael Roche.

While the show jumpers appeared more active than usual, the opposite could be said about the event buyers. A number returned home empty handed and those who did buy cited the scarcity as a growing problem. Leading producer Richard Sheane of Cooley Farm accounted for far less than he would have ideally liked, but did secure Charlie Carter’s home-bred gelding by Ars Vivendi (dam by OBOS Quality) for €9,500 late on Wednesday evening. “He’s a smart one,” commented the Co Wicklow man. “But the sort you want is very few and far between.”

MONDAY'S SELECT SALE

Kicking off the week was a select sale of three-year-olds, which was limited to some of those who narrowly missed the Go For Gold and the Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers selection. While the fixture attracted a large number of buyers from Ireland and England, demand was limited and most prices fell well short of vendors' expectations.

The top price of €9,750 was accompanied by the entire sale’s overall highest average price of €4,793 however, and a clearance rate of 42%. Heading the figures was Janet Hollinshead’s traditionally bred gelding by Riyalan out of Doddingon Princess (Carrick Diamond Lad).

British event rider Tom March, partner of senior British international Piggy French, accounted for this nice sort saying afterwards, “I liked him on the video, and the thoroughbred blood in his breeding. I thought he was still backward, but moved and jumped very nicely and hopefully will make into a top class event horse.”

A further four lots realised €7,000 apiece, leading auctioneer Martin Donohoe to reflect on the day as a whole. “A bit disappointed,” he admitted. “A lot of people had put in a lot of effort, especially coming to the video days, and it was a pity they didn’t reap the rewards.

"Looking at the figures, however, it was not as bad as it seemed.”