The foal records were smashed at Goresbridge last week, when a filly foal closely related to the Olympic show jumper MHS Going Global realised a staggering €35,000.

The filly, one of two smart show jumping foals consigned by the Broderick family, featured in Saturday’s special selection and topped the three-day trade by a distance.

Broderick’s second offering delivered the remaining five-figure return at €17,000, while Nigel Hill’s filly by Hector Van D’Abdrijoeve appeared next in line at €7,600.

Inconsistent throughout, but with prices escalating as the week progressed, the trade delivered an overall clearance of 46% (42% in 2016) together with an average of €2,295 (€1,978).

Sale topper

Combining the best of continental and traditional pedigrees, the sale-topping BP India is out of the 1.50m show jumper Ballypatrick Flight who is a half-sister to Ireland’s Olympic representative MHS Going Global.

The dam is also a sibling of the CCI3* event horse MHS King Joules, and MHS Pembroke Lady – who features as the dam of the €17,000 top priced foal at the Goresbridge Supreme sale of show jumping foals last month.

Adding to the pedigree, the filly’s half-sister (BP First Edition) won at the RDS this year, while another sibling realised £35,000 at the Bolesworth foal auction in June.

Bidding was competitive, but the hammer fell in favour of American buyer Pearl Biedron at €35,000. The New Jersey resident revealed after that the filly will remain in Ireland as part of Broderick’s breeding programme.

Explaining the reason to auction some of the foals rather than sell them privately, Broderick explained. “We had a lot of people interested in this foal, so rather than turning them down we though it better to put her on the open market, and Goresbridge is the place to do it.”

The Broderick family continued to celebrate, when their second foal, a filly by Halifax (BWP) went for €17,000 to Canadian buyer Elisha Edgar.

Also selling well was Nigel Hill’s filly by Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve out of Isn’t It Ironic (Lux Z).

International rider Marion Hughes signed the docket for this one at €7,600 while later on Saturday show jumping owner Con O’Sullivan paid €6,800 for James Meade’s beautiful filly by Luidam.

Sales comment

In general, it was another tough sale for breeders.

Thursday was particularly slow, although there appeared to be a slight upturn in the demand for a well-bred broodmare.

Aiden Lee’s traditionally bred seven-year-old mare by Loughehoe Guy (dam by Clover Hill) in foal to Cornet Obolensky realised €5,000, while Eamon McCardle’s well-presented mare by Cornets Stern (in foal to Expuis Powerfree) changed hands for €4,300.

McCardle’s mare stood out in terms of production and reaped the rewards, but the turnout of many mares and foals was well below the standard it should be. As one wise breeder commented.

“You get out of your stock what you put into them.”

Dismal prices

Other dismal prices and unsold lots often reflected poor breeding choices, while customers also cited a lack of correctness among the foals. From the traditional bloodlines, a colt by Kings Master was the top return at €3,400, and from the thoroughbred ranks a colt by Golden Master made €3,600. The sport horses Imperial Heights and Puissance also made an impact, as did the Co Wexford based thoroughbred Island Commander.

Reflecting on the trade, 146 foals changed hands.

Forty of these made €1000 or less, while at the other end of the scale, thirty-six realised in excess of €3,000.

Despite breeders complaints there were always plenty of customers for the correct, athletic foal, and as producer Hugh Douglas summed up.

“It’s the scarcity factor. There are a few good ones, a lot of moderate ones, and plenty of people for the good ones.”

Top prices

• Greg Broderick’s BP India, f foal by Luidam out of Ballypatrick Flight (Laughtons Flight). €35,000.

• Austin Broderick’s f foal by Halifax out of Meriebel Van D’Abdijhoeve (Casper) €17,000.

• Nigel Hill’s c foal by Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve out of Isn’t It Ironic (Lux Z) €7,600

• James Meade’s f foal by Luidam out of Sea Belle (Cruising) €6,800.

• Carroll Brothers’ CBI Invictus c foal by Tyson out of Cenith M (Diamant de Semilly) €6,600.