Last week’s three-day mixed sale wrapped up a busy trading year at Cavan and attracted a good quota of overseas buyers. However, the quality of the stock was inconsistent resulting in divided trade. In the performance sector, the returns illustrated that both the clearance of 58% (63% in 2015) and the average €2,463 (€2,720) had slipped from 2015, while Friday’s sessions of young stock and Irish Draughts also showed a downturn. In the former 45% (46%) changed hands leading to an average of €1,885 (€2,444) but an improved demand for the Irish Draught showed that 67% sold (62%) for an average of 950 (€1,218).

The bulk of the better prices came from Thursday’s performance sale and heading them at €8,800 was a well-related filly by OBOS Quality. Consigned by Pat Dwyer in Co Kilkenny, and sourced last year from breeder Mary Brennan, the four-year-old carried some of the country’s most recognisable bloodlines. She is out of MHS Juliana Joy (Furistos Diamond), who is a half-sibling to the international show jumpers Gowran Park and Badgerhill Cruise, while the third dam bred the equally prolific performers Dorada and Camblin.

“We just loved the breeding, as well as her type step and jump,” said successful purchaser Cornish event rider Tamsyn Hutchins. “Even though the sterling rate made her seem expensive, you have to just keep going.”

Older stock

Trade was solid enough for the better individuals especially those with hunting or competition form. One to appeal was David Conlon’s grade A show jumper Ballyrath who changed hands for the next best figure of €7,200. Home-bred, the ten-year-old by Clover Echo (dam by Carrolls Flight) had competed to 1.40m level, and under Gavin Conlon had won the young riders class at Balmoral last year. He boasted a career total of some 264 SJI points, and one buyer determined not to be outbid, was the English-based dealer Harvey Drea.

Drea had bred the grandam Black Lama, who was a major show jumping Grand Prix winner for both his sister Jackie Drea, and also Con Power.

“With the connection, I had to have him, and I plan to keep him for my wife Anna to compete and have fun with,” he said.

Just one remaining lot realised €7,000, and this price fell to a five-year-old mare by Lux Z (dam by Diamond Clover). Bred and consigned by Co Longford’s Reggie Walsh, the lightly produced youngster was secured by first time visitor and event rider Bryony Whittington.

Proven hunters and well produced all-rounders created the biggest interest among customers and among them was Eimer Staunton’s six-year-old Moylaw Squerve by Moylaw Alabama. In the same ownership since a three-year-old, and the winner of 24 SJI points under Walter Staunton, he landed €6,000 from Trade Horse Ltd of Co Meath.

Four-year-olds

The quality of the four-years was reflected in the returns, and sale-topper aside, just five lots broke the €4,000 barrier. One who did stand out was Leslie Goudie’s Carrickadawson Sarco, a gelding by Shannondale Sarco (dam by Naheez). Bought last year, and slowly produced, the gelding was snapped up by Castleblayney show jumping rider Lauren McCabe for €5,800.

Three-year-olds

The three-year-old sessions ran late into the evenings and heading them at €7,000 was Mary Brennan’s home-bred gelding by the popular Sligo Candys Boy.

Padraig Howley’s stallion has regularly featured in the returns this year, and this individual is the first foal out of the jumping mare Macia (by Semper Odem). Monmouthshire-based Andrew Williams (GHF Equestrian) signed the docket for this eye-catcher who will be aimed at the four-year-old event classes next year.

Others to impress included Vincent Meaney’s Mallards Quality Boy by OBOS Quality out of Mallard Flight by Diamond Serpent. Bred by Sean Barron in Co Wexford and sourced by his Co Clare producer as a yearling, he was knocked down to Adrienne Daly (€5,000) as a show jumping and working hunter prospect.

A filly by Cobra (dam by Western Promise) also sold well when secured by Swedish buyer Tomas Johansson for €4,500.

Ponies

Although there were several high-profile ponies on offer, only a few of them changed hands and prices were modest. Sweden’s S. Westberg accounted for the highest price lot when parting with €5,000 for Ciaran Nallon’s five-year-old Lisboy More Clover, while from the premier selection, Little Field Obi sold privately for €4,500.

Young stock

The full and interesting catalogue of young sport horse stock led to a healthy top price of €7,000. This fell to William Kells’ filly foal by Creevagh Ferro, whose dam Corradons Miss Ohio (Ard Ohio) is a full-sister to the Rio Olympic eventing bronze medallist Mighty Nice.

Local man John Clarke signed for this well-bred colt, who sold just after Trevor McConnell accounted for Raymond Casey’s commercially-bred colt by Cornet Obolensky (dam by Cruising) at €6,500. At €4,500, the best filly price fell to a daughter of Celtic Hero (dam by Lord Z), while boosting the figures further Peter Brady’s colt by Guidam (dam by Hermes de Reve) realised €3,500 to Ronan Corrigan. Earlier James Meade’s son of Christian (dam by Heartbreaker) and Dominic Vallely’s colt by Corland (dam by Heritage Fortunas) also sold well at €3,400 apiece.

It was not all good news however, as low prices at the bottom of the scale illustrated that over a quarter of the stock sold returned less than four figures.

Irish draughts

The Irish Draught was only sector that showed an increase in demand, but this was offset by some moderate prices. Selling as the first lot of the session, Owen Griffin’s filly foal by Tors Gentleman Farmer realised the best price at €2,500 while a colt by Fintan Himself also sold well at €2,000.