Records were broken at Goresbridge two weeks ago.Monday’s trading produced the best single day returns seen at the venue for 10 years. As the business inside the sale ring proved even hotter than the weather, buyers clustered for the better individuals. Tuesday’s sale of three-and four-year-olds was also lively. Figures dipped with the younger sector but overall they held up well.

The closing facts and figures illustrated that Monday’s trade of older horses delivered an 77% (65%) clearance at an average of €4,236 (€3,570 in 2017), The overall returns steadied the final outcome revealed that 72% (65%) changed hands at an average of €3,705 (€3,422).

Adding to the feel-good factor, both commercial and private buyers were in the mix, which led Martin Donohoe to comment. “It was especially good to see so many customers from the private sector – both new and old, as well as our valued regulars. Overall, I’m absolutely delighted with the buoyancy of the trade, particularly on Monday which resulted in our best single day of sport horse trading for 10ten years.”

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Co Galway show jumper Olive Clarke sold two horses on Monday. Her own produced Ballyshan Lancelle topped the two-day figures at €14,500. The six-year-old daughter of Lancelot had clocked up 45 SJI points in classes up to 1.20m and will now continue her jumping career with Killian Lynch in Co Cork. She was bred by Gary Doherty out of Loch View Lass (Animo) and sourced by Clarke as a foal.

Other notables

There was a consistent demand for older horses with form. Richard Healy’s 11-year-old Barrettstown Close Shave sold well for €12,500. The homebred son of Laughtons Flight had a career total of 139 SJI points. This smart individual was knocked down to a cash buyer and believed to be bound for Switzerland.

A total of forty-six (50%) of the older horses realised in excess of €4,000. This included John Kelly’s homebred gelding by the recently deceased Harlequin du Carel out of Tisara Cruise (Cruising) who was sold to Athlone’s Jim Derwin for €9,000. Earlier in the day Olive Clarke opened her account selling her homebred FSS Daredevill for €8,200. The son of Heritage Fortunas out of Paradise (Indoctro) has 15 SJI points to date and was snapped up by Louise Moloney of Colligan Equestrian Centre.

Private English buyer Tessa Broadhead made her first ever sale’s purchase when securing Miley Dunning’s Murphy a five-year-old by VDL Arkansas for €7,400 and progressed to sign for the top priced four-year-old at €10,500.

Four-year-olds

The clearance for the four-year-olds was also healthy, as 75% found new homes at an average of €3,774. These figures were topped at €10,500 when Mark Quinn’s unnamed gelding caught the eye of Broadhead. Now destined for an eventing career in Hampshire, England, the gelding is believed to be by Lancelot out of Miss Diamond by Glidawn Diamond.

Billy Turner’s gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Duleek Hero) sold well to Jim Derwin for €7,800. Michael Murphy’s Coolpark Mermus a gelding by Mermus R out of Coolparks Lady Diamond (Coolcorran Cool Diamond) was secured by English based trader Josh Riley for €7,000. At €6,500, Patrick Mullins’ well related four-year-old by Ard VDL Douglas out of Harvelier (Cavalier Royale) was another classy performer.

Hailing from the close maternal line of the international show jumper Good Lux Lucy, he went to former national hunt jockey Robert Stronge on behalf of his show jumping daughter Poppy.

Three-year-olds and ponies

In comparison, both the demand and the quality of the three-year-olds was patchy.

As a result, the age group delivered a modest clearance of 52% together with a top return of €6,100. This fell to Seamus Moloney’s gelding by Pointilliste (dam by Master Imp), who was bought by Co Clare producer Tommy Considine.

A brisk opening trade for ponies produced a 78% clearance, and a sale topping price of €4,100. This went to David Skehan’s Drummonds Fionn, a four-year-old Connemara by Grange Finnian Sparrow.

Sourced last year and produced by the vendor, this smart sort was well prepped by Henry Foley and snapped up by Mick Floyd.