A well-produced son of Womanizer held centre stage at the Cavan sale last week, where he headed a busy one-day session at a healthy €10,500. Bucking the trend, his sale went the way of a private buyer, but overall it was the trade customers who dominated.

Competition between the two groups led to some lively exchanges, and contributed to an improved average of €3,325 (€2,658 in 2018) albeit with a slightly reduced clearance of 68% (70% in 2018).

Sale topper

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Patrick Murphy’s journey from Oulart in Co Wexford paid off in spades. His six-year-old LMD Womanizer not only returned the sole five-figure sum of the day but did so by a distance. Bred by Larry McDermott in Co Galway, and only sold to dissolve a partnership, the gelding had been produced by Lisa Murphy to win 31 SJI points.

This form made him an attractive prospect for many buyers, but none were as determined at Kerri Ann Boyle, who finally signed the docket at €10,500. A keen amateur rider from Donegal, she plans to return to the ring following an absence of nine years. “I just liked the fact he had competed, and looked to have an easy temperament,” she commented afterwards.

Notables

A further five lots realised in excess of €6,000, with the best price of €6,600 shared between Patricia Grimes six-year-old mare Nessa by Harlequin du Carel and Jimmy Flynn’s similarly aged homebred Saoirse Banuil. The former was sold to Kent based dealers Geoff and Candy Martin, while the latter, who has a career total of 56 SJI points was bought by British trade buyer David Gwillim.

During the afternoon the Shropshire based Hancock Horses opened their account when securing Charlie Coakley’s homebred gelding Latin Graaf for €6,500. A catalogue pick on paper, the grey was by the Burgraaf sired stallion Diamond Graaf out of the thoroughbred mare Latin Prayer by Soviet Star. Carrying a fault free SJI record he looked well bought, as did Simone Curtis’s homebred five-year-old by Arkan out of Javas Dark Secret (Ard VDL Douglas) who is bound for the same destination. Very well related from the immediate dam’s line of Javas Wild Child, he was knocked down at €6,000.

Selling for the same return earlier in the day was Sonia Graham’s upstanding grey seven-year-old The Barber by Fintan Himself (dam by Star Kingdom). A full Irish Draught, he had clocked up some good mileage in the show ring, and had filled the runner up spot at the Cavan Festival last year. Trade Horses Ltd secured this smart all rounder, who looked ideal for an amateur.

Business remained solid enough throughout as a further fifteen lots changed hands at between €4,000 and €5,000.

Ponies

Usually a banker for the venue, the pony trade did not reach its usual heights. That said, some quality ponies sold well and heading them at €4,700 was Aileen Anderson’s 150cms Connemara gelding Golden Shadow, a six-year-old by Black Shadow (dam by Abbeyleix Owen). Jonathan McDonald was in the saddle to showcase this one who was eventually knocked down to Ballinasloe trader Kieran Egan.

Irish Draught and youngstock

Demand for the catalogued sale of Irish Draught stock and young sport horse stock was muted. Closing the day’s session the overall best price of €2,700 went to Catherine Dunphy’s well related yearling Livante, a filly by SIEC Livello out of Charmante Rokarr (Cracker Jack).