A steady trade at Cavan last week resulted in another good sale, albeit one that showed a dip in figures from 12 months ago.

The smaller catalogue and a large number of withdrawals were probably influential factors and, at the close of play, 67% (77% in 2022) of those put forward changed hands at an average of €5,942 (€6,744).

Positively, six lots realised in excess of €10,000 and, largely due to a lively market in England, all were snapped up by commercial buyers.

These traders were especially good customers for proven hunters and quiet riding horses, but were less hungry for the younger stock.

Sale topper

While the easy, general-purpose horses dominated, the sale-topping honours at €12,100 fell to Patrick Kennedy’s homebred show jumper Easy Venture, a six-year-old mare by Pollux de Muze out of Multi Venture (Newmarket Venture).

Bred and produced to sell, she had been campaigned by John Mulvey to clock up five SJI points from just a few outings under rules.

There were several interested buyers for this smart sort, who was one of just two lots over the course of the day knocked down to Athlone’s Jim Derwin.

Older stock

Four of the five-figure returns hailed from traditional breeding, and standing out among them was Eoin O’Brien’s five-year-old gelding OBL Pointvilla by thoroughbred sire Pointilliste.

Bred by the late Brendan McChesney, out of a half sister to the jumpers Leestone Du Reve (1.45m) and Leestone Emerald Queen (1.30m), he had been slowly produced, and looked well bought by Reading trader James White at €11,200.

Another show jumper to sell satisfactorily was Alison Porter’s GHS Step in Time, an eight-year-old by Van Gogh out of a thoroughbred-sired dam by Saracen Hill.

Co Sligo producer Tiernan Gray, who is better known as a pony customer, paid €11,000 for this experienced campaigner who had a career total of 41 SJI points.

Demand was also strong for small horses, and one that stood out was Joseph Keegan’s Supreme Meadow, a chesnut mare by Tommy Supreme out of Dunbeggan Hunting Lady (Huntingfield Rebel).

A seasoned campaigner, she had hunted for a full season with the Leitrim Harriers and, described as an ideal mother and daughter share, was secured at €10,600 by Lancashire dealer Peter Pimbley.

Another from the same ilk was Niamh Ryan’s diminutive mare Molly, a seven-year-old full Irish Draught by Windgap Blue out of Lisballard Eibhlis (Huntingfield Rebel). Selling for a healthy €10,000, she was knocked down to partnership buyers Matt Mackley and Eddie Ahern.

Four-year-olds

The trade for four-year-olds was quiet in comparison, but Frank Redmond’s traditionally bred filly by Rebel Mountain out of Derry Lass by Political Merger sold well to head the age group at €10,200. Never far from the action, James White was on hand to sign for this useful sort, having earlier parted with €9,000 for the attractively bred Moveen Connie, a gelding by Rehy High Society out of Moveen Akbar (Akbar).

A total of 21 four-year-olds changed hands, with the remaining prices ranging upwards from €3,500.

Three-year-olds

Heading the four three-year-olds who found new homes was Fiona Smith’s unnamed gelding by Colandro out of Dervor Pride (Crosstown Dancer).

Sold for €6,000, he was knocked down to British buyer Christopher White.

Ponies

The commencing pony trade was solid enough but, somewhat unusually, none were among the sale toppers.

The morning’s top price of €8,000 went to Bernard Reynolds’ unnamed 148cms four-year-old filly by Sligo Candy Boy who was secured by Kenneth Rush.

Top lots

  • Patrick Kennedy’s Easy Venture, 6yo mare by Pollux de Muze (dam by Newmarket Venture) €12,100.
  • Eoin O’Brien’s OBL Pointvilla, 5yo gelding by Pointilliste (dam by Master Imp) €11,200.
  • Alison Porter’s GHS Step In Time, 8yo mare by Van Gogh (dam by Saracen Hill) €11,000.
  • Joseph Keegan’s Supreme Meadow, 5yo mare by Tommy Supreme (dam by Huntingfield Rebel) €10,600.
  • Frank Redmond’s Unnamed, 4yo mare by Rebel Mountain (dam by Political Merger) €10,200.
  • Niamh Ryan’s Molly, 7yo mare by Windgap Blue (dam by Huntingfield Rebel) €10,000.