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Better prices throughout the country, improved clearance rates and bumper attendances were among the positives to emerge from the sport horse sales in 2017.
In spite of the hefty devaluation of sterling against the euro, the returns from Goresbridge and Cavan illustrated steady upturns as the year progressed, boosted in the main by the consistent demand for the competition horse.
This was again illustrated in the successful end of year specialist sales, one of which delivered the sole six-figure price of the year.
Headlines were also made in the foal sector, where trade for the well-bred show jumping foal was phenomenal.
As always however, the spoils were divided, and contrasting against impressively successful figures in some quarters, there were some simply dismal ones in others. Poor production was often the culprit, while correctness, unusual covering choices and lack of recorded breeding were others. The presentation issues were most evident at the foal sales, and as one wise breeder commented: “You get out of your horse what you put in.”
Top Prices
The top sales figure emerged from the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale in November, where Sophie Richards five-year-old event horse Gurtera Mattie Clover, realised €130,000. Bred by James Bradley in Co Cork, the son of Newmarket Venture combined pedigree, talent and temperament, and importantly was beautifully produced. He was secured by English event horse owner Gerry Kemp. It was later revealed that he will be ridden by top British international Nicola Wilson.
Demand for four-year-olds
Demand for the better four-year-olds remained strong throughout the year. MBF Connection, a gelding by Luidam, bred by Ann Healy Baynes, topped this category, when changing hands at the Go For Gold sale for €36,000
The Go For Gold sale was also the venue for the top priced filly, when Sarah Ponsonby and Gavin Ryan’s Summer Stardust, a four-year-old by Clover Brigade (dam by Cavalier Royale) was secured at €29,500.
Three-year-old sales have now caught the imagination of event horse buyers, and James McEvoy’s reserve potential event champion Highmoon took the year’s top honours, when selling for €36,000 at the Go For Gold in November.
The Francis Green-bred son of Rehy High Society (dam by Cavalier Royale) was secured by British event horse buyer Val Tourres.
Divided Trade
The biggest divide in trade was undoubtedly at the foal sales. While demand for best-bred show jumping foals seems stronger than ever, buyers were at their most discerning for the remainder. Lack of quality, poor conformation and production were all cited as reasons, but exchanges were lively for any who ticked the boxes.
Three foals realised in excess of €20,000. Cavan’s Elite Foal Sale delivered record breaking returns when Danielle Clarke’s and Matthew Breen’s colt by Casall La Sillas (dam by Cantus) realised €29,000 and Clement Stapleton’s colt by Cornet Obolensky out of Sligo Cruise Way (Cruising) made €26,000. These impressive records were short lived however, as two weeks later Greg Broderick’s well filly foal by Luidam, sold for a staggering €35,000 to an American buyer at Goresbridge in October. Her dam, Ballypatrick Flight is a half-sister to Ireland’s Olympic representative MHS Going Global, while the filly’s half-sister (BP First Edition) won at the RDS in August, and another sibling realised £35,000 at the Bolesworth foal auction in June.
Continental pedigrees dominated the better returns, as did the show jumping buyers who bought them.
Show jumpers it appears are prepared to store their youngsters, event riders on the other hand would sooner not. Proven, commercial sires and blacktype dam lines were vital ingredients among the successful lots, many of which were the result of embryo transfers.
Foals
Foals by Irish sport horses and thoroughbred sires met with mixed fortunes. Despite encouragement by the Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIH) the figures showed a levelling at the lower end of the tables.
THE YEAR’S SALE TOPPERS
• OVERALL – Sophie Richards’ Gurtera Matties Clover, 5 year-old gelding by Newmarket Venture (dam by Clover Hill). €130,000.
• FOUR-YEAR-OLD. – Bolger and Higgins’ MBF Connection, gelding by Luidam (dam by Traditionally XX) €36,000.
• THREE-YEAR-OLD. – James McEvoy’s Highmoon, gelding by Rehy High Society (dam by Cavalier Royale) €36,000,
• TRADITIONALLY BRED – Noel Ryan’s GRC Cu Chulain, 5 year-old gelding by Clover Brigade (dam by Flagmount King) €39,000.
• FOAL – Greg Broderick’s filly foal by Luidam (dam by Laughtons Flight) €35,000.
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