Sport horse auctions resumed last weekend when Mullingar kicked off with the country’s first sale since the lockdown in March.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, it was a highly satisfying opener, which drew a good crowd and achieved a clearance rate of 70% together with a top return of €8,500.
The day also saw the introduction of an online bidding and livestream facility, with five lots being bought online through irishsporthorseauctions.com. Those utilising the medium were active throughout, leading Mullingar’s Declan Fagan to comment: “The medium of selling is evolving, the trade exceeded our expectations, and this was due in no small part to the added online facility.
“The more information that is available to the sellers, the more confidence they will have to bid. Saturday’s consigners came up with the requirements, and going forward we feel that this will become a co-operative process between the producer and the auction house.”
Although there were a few teething problems with the broadcast, there was no interruption to bidding functionality, and overall, the concept worked well.
Smart ponies
Business was brisk from the outset, as a smart selection of ponies set the ball rolling. In terms of quality, the ponies appeared to outdo the majority of the horses, and heading them at €8,500 was Laura Bohan’s Connemara mare Ballyfore Damzel. The six-year-old daughter of Poetic Kelly carried SJI form, and was knocked down to an online cash buyer from Sweden.
Seven lots made in excess of €6,000, among which was Samuel Hollinger’s Creevagh Bliss, a five-year-old chestnut mare by Camiro de Haar Z out of Creevagh Freda (Creevagh Ferro). Another with show jumping points, she realised €7,300 when secured by Coleraine customer Lee Johnston.
As usual, the prices broadly mirrored the quality, but in general most vendors were happy as their offerings sold well if not above expectation.
One active British buyer was James White of Irish Horse Imports. The Reading-based trader, snapped up five lots during the day, including George McDonald’s Bengi, a five-year-old dun gelding by Peters Brook at €6,700. E Brennan’s coloured son of Kilrush Lad also sold well at €6,400, as did Michael Healey’s Connemara 148cms pony Carmelia’s Girl at €6,100.
The last named, by Ross Fear Bui, joined a further 16 lots knocked down to Jim Derwin, who was full of praise for the day. “It was a good trade, especially for the ponies who were lovely,” commented the Athlone man. “I particularly liked this grey mare who could do any job.” Appearing undaunted by the online opposition, he worked away tirelessly, and commented that he would not personally be tempted to bid on line.
While the concept will not appeal to everyone, there is no doubt that for some it is the way forward. It certainly influenced the day’s trade and the team at Mullingar are full of enthusiasm for their next sale in September.
• Laura Bohan’s Ballyfore Damzel, six-year-old 148cms mare by Poetic Kelly (dam by Lobeen Larry) €8,500.
• Samuel Hollinger’s Creevagh Bliss, five-year-old mare by Camiro de Haar Z (dam by Creevagh Ferro) €7,300.
• George McDonald’s Bengi, five-year-old gelding by Peters Brook €6,700.
• E Brennan’s Mangan, five-year-old gelding by Kilrush Lad (Creggan Diamond) €6,400.
• Michael Healy’s Carmelia’s Girl, five-year-old 148cms €6,100.
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