Despite a strong opening trade for the older horses, it was the four-year-olds that took centre stage at Goresbridge last Friday.
At the close of week one, the younger age group dominated the returns in terms of prices and averages, while the older stock showed strength in depth to record the biggest number of five-figure returns.
Overall, twenty-three lots realised in excess of €10,000, with the demand highest for the well produced individuals with either proven form or big potential.
Most encouragingly – and showing well against the record - breaking returns of twelve months ago, the young age group closed with a healthy average of €6,879 in comparison to last year’s €6,452.
The older stock also enjoyed a solid trade, to close at €6,510 and €4,883 (ponies) although the overall clearances in all sectors dipped to 69%.
As has become the norm, the professional producers scooped the bulk of the better returns, while the customers – of which there were many, were divided between the trade and the private sector.
Lot 78 sold for €13,500 at week one of the Goresbridge September sales. \ Sally Parkyn
Older stock
Heading the first week at €18,000 was Sarah McClelland’s RRS Joe, a beautifully produced five-year-old by Lancelot out of Rhineroe Lady Elle (Colin Diamond).
Well ridden by Emma Jackson, the big grey had impressed in young event horse classes both this and last season, as well as winning 63 SJI points.
Bred by Aiden Moloney, he was sourced through the same sale ring as a three-year-old and after a long tussle was knocked down to British event horse rider and keen hunt supporter Fiona Davidson.
Another keen follower of hounds is Davidson’s compatriot Graham Smith, and he was delighted to secure Desmond Corr’s smart Irish Draught Dungar Close Shave by Carrickrock Close Shave for €13,500.
Bred by John Corbett, and sourced as a three-year-old, the versatile Dungar Close Shave appealed to Smith because of his age, type and experience.
Another hunter type to impress was Thomas Widger’s Little John - a six-year-old by Heigh Ho Dubh out of Harley Princess (Harlequin du Carel).
Bred by John Hourigan in Limerick, and sourced through the same ring as a foal, he had hunted for two seasons in Co Waterford. Bidding through an agent, German trader and former international event rider Hans Nagel secured this one for €12,200.
Selling for €12,000 was Ross Trearty’s Clonboo Babys Boy, a nine-year-old gelding by Luidam out of Cruising Baby (Cruising).
A seasoned hunter with the Donegal and Tyrone Farmers, he was knocked down to the British-based New Priory Stud on behalf of Julie Wibbley.
Realising the same figure, Sean Mulkern’s homebred ABS Minty sold well in a private sale. By Tyson sired out of the 1.50m show jumping mare Minnie Clover (Clover Brigade) the five-year-old carried 45 SJI points and was snapped up by Maurice Bingham.
Lot 856 sold for €18,000 at week one of the Goresbridge September sales. \ Sally Parkyn
Four-year-olds
Top producers dominated the leading vendors lists in this sector, with the Co Wexford based H and J Sport Horses Ltd’s filly Cushlas Gemima topping the figures at €16,500.
Bought as a three-year-old, the well-related daughter of Vittorio was bred by JP Finlay and is out of the Selle Francais mare Une Ardente de Vie (Apache D’Adriers HN). Shropshire event horse dealer Annie Dalton signed for this smart sort, and later for Vincent Meaney’s Greygrove Delight, a gelding by Shannondale Sarco for who she paid €15,000.
Rarely does a sale pass without MBF Sport Horses making headlines, and double-handed they received €15,500 for both Ardfort MBF Lady Laurel (by Lagans OBOS Quality) and MBF Cheeky Boots, a Connemara cross by Knockferry Cheeky Boots.
Ponies
Wednesday’s pony session closed with a clearance of 69% and average €4,883. Once again, the best returns fell to ponies with form, and heading these at €9,600 was Denis O’Riordan’s Geraldine Beag, an eight-year-old mare with unrecorded breeding.
The winner of 73 SJI points in her first season under rules, she looked well bought by Sligo trader Tiernan Gray.
Selling from the supplementary catalogue, Fionola Heslin’s five-year-old Derrygola Lad (Lot 840) Corals Misty Bobby also sold well at €8,500, while another late entry to score was Debbie Flavin’s (on behalf of Emma Holligan) homebred 145cms mare Cute On Command at €8,000.
Despite a strong opening trade for the older horses, it was the four-year-olds that took centre stage at Goresbridge last Friday.
At the close of week one, the younger age group dominated the returns in terms of prices and averages, while the older stock showed strength in depth to record the biggest number of five-figure returns.
Overall, twenty-three lots realised in excess of €10,000, with the demand highest for the well produced individuals with either proven form or big potential.
Most encouragingly – and showing well against the record - breaking returns of twelve months ago, the young age group closed with a healthy average of €6,879 in comparison to last year’s €6,452.
The older stock also enjoyed a solid trade, to close at €6,510 and €4,883 (ponies) although the overall clearances in all sectors dipped to 69%.
As has become the norm, the professional producers scooped the bulk of the better returns, while the customers – of which there were many, were divided between the trade and the private sector.
Lot 78 sold for €13,500 at week one of the Goresbridge September sales. \ Sally Parkyn
Older stock
Heading the first week at €18,000 was Sarah McClelland’s RRS Joe, a beautifully produced five-year-old by Lancelot out of Rhineroe Lady Elle (Colin Diamond).
Well ridden by Emma Jackson, the big grey had impressed in young event horse classes both this and last season, as well as winning 63 SJI points.
Bred by Aiden Moloney, he was sourced through the same sale ring as a three-year-old and after a long tussle was knocked down to British event horse rider and keen hunt supporter Fiona Davidson.
Another keen follower of hounds is Davidson’s compatriot Graham Smith, and he was delighted to secure Desmond Corr’s smart Irish Draught Dungar Close Shave by Carrickrock Close Shave for €13,500.
Bred by John Corbett, and sourced as a three-year-old, the versatile Dungar Close Shave appealed to Smith because of his age, type and experience.
Another hunter type to impress was Thomas Widger’s Little John - a six-year-old by Heigh Ho Dubh out of Harley Princess (Harlequin du Carel).
Bred by John Hourigan in Limerick, and sourced through the same ring as a foal, he had hunted for two seasons in Co Waterford. Bidding through an agent, German trader and former international event rider Hans Nagel secured this one for €12,200.
Selling for €12,000 was Ross Trearty’s Clonboo Babys Boy, a nine-year-old gelding by Luidam out of Cruising Baby (Cruising).
A seasoned hunter with the Donegal and Tyrone Farmers, he was knocked down to the British-based New Priory Stud on behalf of Julie Wibbley.
Realising the same figure, Sean Mulkern’s homebred ABS Minty sold well in a private sale. By Tyson sired out of the 1.50m show jumping mare Minnie Clover (Clover Brigade) the five-year-old carried 45 SJI points and was snapped up by Maurice Bingham.
Lot 856 sold for €18,000 at week one of the Goresbridge September sales. \ Sally Parkyn
Four-year-olds
Top producers dominated the leading vendors lists in this sector, with the Co Wexford based H and J Sport Horses Ltd’s filly Cushlas Gemima topping the figures at €16,500.
Bought as a three-year-old, the well-related daughter of Vittorio was bred by JP Finlay and is out of the Selle Francais mare Une Ardente de Vie (Apache D’Adriers HN). Shropshire event horse dealer Annie Dalton signed for this smart sort, and later for Vincent Meaney’s Greygrove Delight, a gelding by Shannondale Sarco for who she paid €15,000.
Rarely does a sale pass without MBF Sport Horses making headlines, and double-handed they received €15,500 for both Ardfort MBF Lady Laurel (by Lagans OBOS Quality) and MBF Cheeky Boots, a Connemara cross by Knockferry Cheeky Boots.
Ponies
Wednesday’s pony session closed with a clearance of 69% and average €4,883. Once again, the best returns fell to ponies with form, and heading these at €9,600 was Denis O’Riordan’s Geraldine Beag, an eight-year-old mare with unrecorded breeding.
The winner of 73 SJI points in her first season under rules, she looked well bought by Sligo trader Tiernan Gray.
Selling from the supplementary catalogue, Fionola Heslin’s five-year-old Derrygola Lad (Lot 840) Corals Misty Bobby also sold well at €8,500, while another late entry to score was Debbie Flavin’s (on behalf of Emma Holligan) homebred 145cms mare Cute On Command at €8,000.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: