A daughter of Ustinov was the star of the show at Goresbridge last week, where she headed the three-year-old returns by a distance. Tom and Linda Magee’s filly was one of three five-figure prices which emerged from three days of improved, but inconsistent trading.
Climbing steadily, albeit slowly each year since the slump, the clearance rate reached 54% (48% in 2016 and 43% in 2015) while the average of €3,698 (€3,468) also increased.
“Things certainly seem to be going in the right direction.” Commented Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge. “We had a large and varied number of customers over the three days, and it was especially good to see the return of so many show jumping buyers looking for three-year-olds.”
For the breeders and producers it was almost a case of feast or famine. As discerning buyers from all disciplines dictated the market, prices fluctuated accordingly.
Business was slow on the first day, but gradually gathered pace to produce a total of 75 lots which exceeded the bench mark figure of €4,000, with 40 of these achieving €5,000 or more.
While the trade was more solid this year, there were fewer five-figure returns than in 2016. Pundits were divided in their opinions, and while many rated the overall quality as better, stand out stars were scarce.
BUYER COMMENTS
Top show jumping owner and regular buyer Graham Smith commented: “I did buy a couple, but personally, I thought that the horses were not up to the usual standard – so it was disappointing for me. There have not been many stars among them, and too many lacked the wow factor.”
On the other hand, event riders worked hard to source potential, and while jump is obviously important, the amount of blood, type and movement are equally so. Gloucestershire event horse owner, Sally Earnshaw remarked: “I felt this week’s sale has offered much better quality than in the past few years, and as a result we have bought several.”
SALE TOPPER
For the second time in three years, Co Armagh breeders Tom and Linda Magee headed the returns with an offering out of the outstanding broodmare Icing (Cruising). This time around it was the turn of Coachella, an attractive grey filly by Ustinov, who is a half-sister to the 1.50m performers Derryinver Luxury Cruise (Lux Z) and Non Stop (Clover Echo), as well as the German-based international winner True Grit (1.40m) by Sir Shutterfly.
She was knocked down to Ronan Rothwell of Boleybawn Horses. “I have bought her for a new client, who will produce her to jump here in Ireland with a view to resale.” Rothwell said afterwards. “She has a fantastic pedigree, and looked to have endless scope.”
Another former sale-topping vendor was Charlie Pidgeon, and he notched up a good result when his homebred gelding by OBOS Quality realised €12,500. One of 51 entries by the sire, the gelding was secured by Co Carlow show jumping owner Tom Hennessy, and will be produced by rider Derek McConnell next season.
Pidgeon’s gelding is out of the mare Subtle Difference (Courage11) and from the immediate maternal family of the international show jumpers and former Goresbridge graduates, Deep Pockets and LCC Empty Pockets.
The final five-figure return at €10,000 fell to MBF Sport Horses’ gelding by Sligo Candy Boy. Bred by Tony Foody in Co Mayo out of an unrecorded dam, he was knocked down to event owners Haford Farming, under whose banner young international rider Sam Ecroyd will ride next year.
SHOW JUMPERS
It was the turn of the show jumpers next, when Jason Higgins and Jim Rogers’ offering by Balloon (dam by Wenever) was secured privately for €9,500 and later in the day, Ger O’Neill signed the docket at €9,000 for Brendan Doyle’s gelding by Ol Metta (SF) out of Supernora (Chippison).
By sheer weight of numbers, continental breeding dominated the better returns, but appealing to the event and showing fraternity, the thoroughbred and traditional sires also made an impact.
Their best result at €8,700 came from Paddy Cotter’s traditionally bred son of Spirit House out of Mystic Kingdom (Star Kingdom) at €8,700. Another to shine was Loughehoe Guy, who was well represented by Sharon Coen’s gelding at €8,600, and Watermill Swatch whose best returning progeny realised €6,800.
THREE YEAR OLD TOP PRICES
• Tom Magee’s 3 year-old filly by Ustinov (dam by Cruising) ¤20,000.• Charlie Pidgeon’s 3 year-old gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Courage) ¤12.500• MBF Sport Horses’ 3 year-old gelding by Sligo Candy Boy ¤10,000.• Jim Rogers and Jason Higgins’ 3 year-old gelding by Balloon (dam by Wenever) ¤9,500.• Martin O’Dea’s 3 year-old gelding by Voltaire (dam by Cruising) ¤9,000.• Brendan Doyle’s 3 year-old gelding by Ol Metta (dam by Chippison) ¤9,000.
A daughter of Ustinov was the star of the show at Goresbridge last week, where she headed the three-year-old returns by a distance. Tom and Linda Magee’s filly was one of three five-figure prices which emerged from three days of improved, but inconsistent trading.
Climbing steadily, albeit slowly each year since the slump, the clearance rate reached 54% (48% in 2016 and 43% in 2015) while the average of €3,698 (€3,468) also increased.
“Things certainly seem to be going in the right direction.” Commented Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge. “We had a large and varied number of customers over the three days, and it was especially good to see the return of so many show jumping buyers looking for three-year-olds.”
For the breeders and producers it was almost a case of feast or famine. As discerning buyers from all disciplines dictated the market, prices fluctuated accordingly.
Business was slow on the first day, but gradually gathered pace to produce a total of 75 lots which exceeded the bench mark figure of €4,000, with 40 of these achieving €5,000 or more.
While the trade was more solid this year, there were fewer five-figure returns than in 2016. Pundits were divided in their opinions, and while many rated the overall quality as better, stand out stars were scarce.
BUYER COMMENTS
Top show jumping owner and regular buyer Graham Smith commented: “I did buy a couple, but personally, I thought that the horses were not up to the usual standard – so it was disappointing for me. There have not been many stars among them, and too many lacked the wow factor.”
On the other hand, event riders worked hard to source potential, and while jump is obviously important, the amount of blood, type and movement are equally so. Gloucestershire event horse owner, Sally Earnshaw remarked: “I felt this week’s sale has offered much better quality than in the past few years, and as a result we have bought several.”
SALE TOPPER
For the second time in three years, Co Armagh breeders Tom and Linda Magee headed the returns with an offering out of the outstanding broodmare Icing (Cruising). This time around it was the turn of Coachella, an attractive grey filly by Ustinov, who is a half-sister to the 1.50m performers Derryinver Luxury Cruise (Lux Z) and Non Stop (Clover Echo), as well as the German-based international winner True Grit (1.40m) by Sir Shutterfly.
She was knocked down to Ronan Rothwell of Boleybawn Horses. “I have bought her for a new client, who will produce her to jump here in Ireland with a view to resale.” Rothwell said afterwards. “She has a fantastic pedigree, and looked to have endless scope.”
Another former sale-topping vendor was Charlie Pidgeon, and he notched up a good result when his homebred gelding by OBOS Quality realised €12,500. One of 51 entries by the sire, the gelding was secured by Co Carlow show jumping owner Tom Hennessy, and will be produced by rider Derek McConnell next season.
Pidgeon’s gelding is out of the mare Subtle Difference (Courage11) and from the immediate maternal family of the international show jumpers and former Goresbridge graduates, Deep Pockets and LCC Empty Pockets.
The final five-figure return at €10,000 fell to MBF Sport Horses’ gelding by Sligo Candy Boy. Bred by Tony Foody in Co Mayo out of an unrecorded dam, he was knocked down to event owners Haford Farming, under whose banner young international rider Sam Ecroyd will ride next year.
SHOW JUMPERS
It was the turn of the show jumpers next, when Jason Higgins and Jim Rogers’ offering by Balloon (dam by Wenever) was secured privately for €9,500 and later in the day, Ger O’Neill signed the docket at €9,000 for Brendan Doyle’s gelding by Ol Metta (SF) out of Supernora (Chippison).
By sheer weight of numbers, continental breeding dominated the better returns, but appealing to the event and showing fraternity, the thoroughbred and traditional sires also made an impact.
Their best result at €8,700 came from Paddy Cotter’s traditionally bred son of Spirit House out of Mystic Kingdom (Star Kingdom) at €8,700. Another to shine was Loughehoe Guy, who was well represented by Sharon Coen’s gelding at €8,600, and Watermill Swatch whose best returning progeny realised €6,800.
THREE YEAR OLD TOP PRICES
• Tom Magee’s 3 year-old filly by Ustinov (dam by Cruising) ¤20,000.• Charlie Pidgeon’s 3 year-old gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Courage) ¤12.500• MBF Sport Horses’ 3 year-old gelding by Sligo Candy Boy ¤10,000.• Jim Rogers and Jason Higgins’ 3 year-old gelding by Balloon (dam by Wenever) ¤9,500.• Martin O’Dea’s 3 year-old gelding by Voltaire (dam by Cruising) ¤9,000.• Brendan Doyle’s 3 year-old gelding by Ol Metta (dam by Chippison) ¤9,000. 
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