Delivering a much-improved clearance rate of 66% (48% in 2018) last week’s sale of young stock in Cavan was very good in parts, if inconsistent overall.

Although not all breeders were sufficiently rewarded, the upturn corresponded with a cautious optimism and was a welcome step forward.

The average of €2,733 (€2,190 in 2018) also illustrated a hike, but is still modest especially as the sale featured a premier section for notably-bred foals.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sale topper

Unsurprisingly, the top returns emerged from the premier section. Among which was Niamh Pender’s Luxivello, a colt by SIEC Livello out of the vendor-ridden young rider’s mare Luxena (1.30m). With a pedigree going back to Clover Hill, the dam is a half-sister to Haddon House Precious (1.40m) and from the immediate family of Billy Dorito (sj1.55m), Billy Colman (sj1.40m) and the event horse Billy Bandit (CIC3*),

Signing the docket at €8,200 was Klara Tuš, a rider formerly based with Greg Broderick in Thurles. Now returned to her native Slovenia, Tuš is building up a team of show jumpers at Kesskara Equestrian, and liked both the model and the pedigree.

Notables

Historically poor sellers, the yearlings bucked the trend this year to produce two of the best returns. First up was John Byrne’s filly by Luidam out of the grade A jumping mare Captains Magic Touch.

Co Longford-based Lakeview Stables accounted for this attractively-bred youngster at €6,600.

Selling as the next lot, Deerpark Manor’s filly by Aganix du Seigeur Z was knocked down to Eoin Gaughan for €4,600.

The bulk of the day’s proceedings focused on the foals, and another to stand-out from the premier selection was Michael Bailey’s foal Fuerty Triomphe de Muze, a colt by Triomphe de Muze out of Tynan Lily (Parco).

A successful and proven family, this colt realised €6,200 and was secured by James Hogg, who competes Tynan Orchid (1.35m) who is a full sister to the dam.

The popular sire Sligo Candy Boy also made an impact. Selling from the premier sector, Peter Murdock’s colt realised €5,800 when knocked down to stallion owner Padraig Howley.

Those with less fashionable pedigrees did not fare so well. Too many in the elite sector reaped moderate returns, while the best of those in the general division was a Colandro (dam by Pacino) filly who was secured by Richard Sheane at €3,400.

Irish Draughts

Although the Irish Draught catalogue was half the number of that of 12 months ago, the trade was steadier, delivering an improved clearance rate of 57% (40%) together with an average of a still modest €1,931 (€1,501).

However, demand remains weak enough for foals in general. Heading the day’s returns at €4,000 (cash buyer) was Patrick Kelly’s three-year-old filly by Scrapman out of Mountain Maiden (Mourne Mountain Star).

As Scrapman (by Crosstown Dancer) proved the most popular sire of the day, the Duffy family’s two-year-old filly out of Kilcannon Jewel (Grange Bouncer) also sold well to a Cash buyer at €3,700, while Paddy Kelly’s filly out of Castlelodge Drumri realised €3,500.

The best of the mares was Michael Murphy’s nine-year-old sired mare by Clonleigh Dancer who was secured by a Cash buyer for €3,500.

Foals

Heading the foal sector at €2,300 apiece were Michael Bailey’s Fuerty Legacy, a filly by Moylough Legacy out of Fuerty Lea (Welcome Emperor).

Local buyer Vincent Burns signed the docket for this nice chestnut, while Roy Shields was the successful purchaser of a colt by Cappa Amadeus out of Bellfield Princess (Castana).