Trade at the latest Cavan renewal proved tougher than in recent months, as both horses and ponies struggled to impress.

Although there were plenty of solid returns, the sale recorded a modest top price of €5,700, while the average dipped to €2,658 (€3,068 in 2017).

Aided by a commercially driven market, the auctioneers worked hard to deliver a lower but still healthy clearance rate of 70% (down from 82%).

ADVERTISEMENT

The overall comment from buyers was that the prices generally reflected the stock on offer, and nice horses are worryingly in short supply.

Sale entries across the country are well down yet again this year, leading sale-topping buyer and dealer Graham Sugden to comment: “We were buying them too cheap a few years ago and, as the number of breeders have dropped away, we are now paying the penalty.”

SALE TOPPER

Narrowly heading the figures at €5,700 was Tom Dowd’s Quainto Just One Cornetto, a recently imported mare by the show jumping sire Colestus (Westf).

Bred at the Quainton Stud in England, out of the Holstein mare Cindy by Cassini 11, the six-year-old had originally been sourced as a broodmare. Her Co Sligo vendor soon realised, however, that the mare had plenty of ability to jump, and over the past few weeks she had been competing in Ireland with Matt Gordon.

Bidding was competitive for the mare who, after a lively exchange, was finally knocked down to Yorkshire dealer Sugden. “She was good to jump, was a nice model and had a good temperament,” he commented. “Although she’s not an out-an-out jumper, I think she will make a nice event horse.”

FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

Prices naturally fluctuated according to quality but one to stand out was Willow Sport Horses’ gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Chacoa) who changed hands at €5,600. Co Donegal show jumper Andy Farren signed for this smart prospect.

Selling as one of the final lots, Sean Nugent’s imposing gelding by the popular Kannan realised €5,000. Bred in Belgium and sourced from the breeder as a foal, the latter is out of Catrischa (Westf) by the show jumping sire Cabochon (1.60m).

DEALERS DOMINATE

Dealers had things very much their own way during the day, and Ballinasloe’s Niall Daly did well to secure Fiona Donohue’s traditionally bred bay mare by Loughehoe Guy (dam by Mount Diamond Flag) for €5,500.

This mare had competed in dressage and training shows, whereas Edwin McLoughlin’s six-year-old by Supreme Ginger had proven form in the hunting field. One of six lots to pass the €5,000 mark, the latter mare was knocked down to Warwickshire hunter dealer Jill Carenza at €5,200.

PONIES

Setting the pattern for the day, the majority of the pony customers hailed from the trade sector. Those from Scandinavia were especially active in the pony session and, while the business was solid enough, it was certainly a buyers’ market.

Danish dealers JM Horses signed for five well-priced lots, including Denis O’Halloran’s jumping pony Mochulla Jimmy (by Danesfield Prince) for €5,000 and David Maher’s graded pony Mister Banks at €4,500.

Both looked very well bought at the price, as did Alex O’Brien’s Mr Nuke who was snapped up by Jim Derwin at €4,400.

THREE-YEAR-OLDS

Derwin remained at ringside until the close of play, when he signed for a son of Ringfort Cruise (dam by Drumri) who at €3,500 was the top priced three-year-old of the four who changed hands.

TOP LOTS

• Tom Dowd’s Quainto Just One Cornetto, 6yo mare by Colestus (dam by Cassini 11) €5,700

• Willows Sport Horses’ Take That, 4yo gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Chacoa) €5,600

• Fiona Donohue’s 8yo mare by Loughehoe Guy (dam by Mount Diamond Flag) €5,500

• Edwin McLoughlin’s 6yo mare by Supreme Ginger (dam by Mourne Mt Star) €5,200

• Sean Nugent’s 4yo gelding by Kannan (dam by Cabochon) €5,000

• Denis O’Halloran’s Mochulla Jimmy, 6yo 148cms by Danesfield Prince (dam by I Love You Melody) €5,000