The six-day marathon at Goresbridge opened in good style last week, with ponies, older horses and four-year-olds all delivering excellent returns.

Despite the cautious economic forecast, buyers from both home and overseas were out in their droves, and were swelled further by a strong influence online.

The trade for the older stock was solid from the outset, and with a clearance rate of 76% (77% in 2021) together with an increased average of €6,984 (€6,327) it was highly satisfactory.

Friday’s session of four-year-olds smashed last year’s record- breaking clearance to close at 86%, and was accompanied by an average of €6,452 (€6,548).

The standard of stock was generally high, and aided by the increasingly polished pre-sale videos, there were a significant number of bids online.

“Trade has seen a meteoric rise in recent years and it is very satisfying to see that demand is holding strong,” stated Mary Frances Donohoe of Gorsebridge Sport Horse Sales.

“It is especially satisfying to see so many vendors rewarded, with so many lots making in excess of five figures, which is testament to the calibre of horse they are entrusting us with.”

Sale topper

While horses with form reaped the better rewards, others with obvious potential also scored well. Among the latter was Michael Ryan’s homebred five-year-old Drombane Glory who, now ready to progress in a competition career, headed the returns at €24,000.

A well-related individual by Future Trend out of Drombane Dilemma (VDL Arkansas), he is a homebred half-brother to the American-based event horse Drombane Dynamite, and from the family of the four-star event horse Fernhill Ambassador.

There was a lively exchange for this smart sort, who was eventually knocked down to the UK-based Highcross Horseboxes Ltd on behalf of international event rider Emma Hyslop-Webb.

Older horses

Another breeder to land a good return was Cavan’s Hugh Fitzpatrick, whose well-related jumping mare Erne Blaze Away by Air Jordan Z changed hands for €23,000.

A seven-year-old winner of 49 SJI points and out of the good mare Erne Blaze (1.50m) this one will stay in Ireland to jump in the amateur ranks with Magda and Keith Donovan from Borrisokane.

From the opposite end of the country, Dennis O’Riordan’s long journey from Six Mile Water in Co Cork paid off when his Deards Flashdance sold well at €18,000. Sourced as an unbroken three-year-old, this one will travel to the Co Offaly yard of buyer Phil O’Reilly.

As the most experienced event horses in the catalogue, Jessica Finnegan’s gelding Mr Quality Cruz (OBOS Quality out of Miss Carnival Cruise) lived up to his reputation to sell for €15,400.

A homebred with CCI2* international form, he was snapped up online by Scottish event rider Kirsty Hogg.

Four year olds

Despite the heavy downpours, Friday’s session was an upbeat occasion which saw a very healthy clearance of 86%.

Eight lots realised in excess of five figures, with the top return of €19,000 falling to Richie Harty’s eye catching homebred Carrigeen Ulysses.

A big elegant horse, thought suitable to either event or show jump, he was snapped up by New Ross man H. Stump, on behalf of Swiss show jumping owner Willi Naf.

Thomas Quigley’s Last To Go was another stand out. Ridden by Gemma Phelan, as was the sale topper, this gelding was by the Bertram Allen partnered jumper Romanov out of Drumagoland Arco (VDL Douglas).

Sourced just broken earlier this year, he looked very well bought by Jim Derwin at €17,800.

The Newbury based Irish Horse Imports, were certainly the most active customers of the day, securing no less than twenty-five lots.

These varied in price, but on the higher end included MBF Sporthorses’ smart competition prospect MBF On The Ball by Presidential Ball for €15,000 as well as the grey Cartymore Philip by the Irish Draught sire Cappa Amadeus at €11,000.

Ponies

Wednesday’s standalone session of ponies produced some rather unexpectedly good trade, with two lots breaking the €10,000 barrier.

Both top lots were consigned by Kilkenny’s Claire Ryan and, bred by her father Jim, changed hands for €10,000 apiece.