The leap in sales prices post-pandemic has been one of the talking points of the past year, and closing the season in the same positive pattern, Goresbridge staged its final renewal of 2022.

Last Thursday’s one day fixture proved popular with buyers both onsite and online and, with demand strong across the age bands, the session closed with a healthy number of five-figure returns, together with an average of €5,372.

At 63%, the clearance had steadied a little from recent sales, but that deficit appeared more to do with some unrealistically high reserves, rather than lack of appeal.

Sale topper

Delivering the best clearance rate of 69% as well as the sale-topping return of €14,000, trade for the three-year-olds stood up well.

There were numerous lively exchanges during the session, and none more so than for Oliver Ward’s Ardragh Celtic Breeze, a homebred, three-year-old daughter of the very commercial Celtic Hero BZ.

Hailing from a good family of jumpers, and a sibling to several notable performers, she was knocked down to Nottinghamshire producer Steve Barnes at €14,000.

According to Barnes, the filly was ‘the best I’ve seen for a long time’ and while Ward was reluctant to part with her, he has retained a four-year-old full sister.

Lot 49 at Goresbridge December Sale fetched €12,800. \ Sally Parkyn

Older horses

Not for the first time this year, Co Monaghan vendor Keith Wilson landed the top return in the older division. His offering was the seven-year-old gelding Kelton by Ebony.

Bidding was fiercely competitive for this eye-catching grey, who at €12,800 was eventually secured online by British trade buyer Rhiannon Rowlands.

Another stand out was Killian Dunne’s Riverside Swaziland, a ten-year-old Grade A jumping mare with 310 SJI points.

Bred by James and Mary Whelan, she was bought in-foal two years ago, and having since resumed her jumping career with the vendor, was knocked down to regular visitor Emma Browne for €12,500.

Four year olds

Quite often the strongest sector in terms of prices, the four-year-old session was headed at €10,600 by Tim Collins/ Niall Redmond’s Polly, a filly by Lancelot out of Precious Moneen by Terimon.

Bred by Tim O’Sullivan and well-produced by Tullow based Redmond and his partner Debbie Flavin, she performed beautifully, and looked well bought by Buckinghamshire based Lucy Fallon.

Another eye-catcher was Frank Quinn’s home bred Irish Draught gelding Coolfinn Grey Bouncer, a gelding with a few SJI points and hunting mileage.

Impressing both on the flat and to jump, he is the sole registered son of Ballycurry Vanounou (by Grange Bouncer) and well produced by Duncan McFaddyn, was knocked down to London based trader Harvey Drea for €10,700.

Ponies

There may only have been eight ponies put forward, but trade was strong and especially for the quiet ponies with form.

Among these was Patrick Dempsey’s eight-year-old grey mare Lulu who, having performed exceptionally well when jumping prior to sale, was the subject of a lively exchange.

As bids bounced rapidly between the floor and online, she was finally knocked down to the latter customer for €12,600. A first-time online bidder, the successful purchaser was New Inn resident Lindsay Mason, who commented afterwards.

“I was a bit nervous as it was my first time, but it all worked beautifully. The intention is now for young Sam Donovan to compete her in some jumping classes, before my own children are old enough to take over.”