Scarcity drove a strong market at Goresbridge last week, where the two-day renewal delivered some unprecedented returns. Attracting a significant number of overseas buyers, many of whom were first time visitors, the closing figures illustrated a healthy overall clearance of 79% (72%) accompanied by an average (including ponies) of €4,000 (€3,705).

Despite the smaller catalogue the sale produced exceptional clearances in the three and four-year-old sectors. The sale produced a quartet of five figure returns which spanned across the age groups. “We knew that last year’s returns were strong and would take some beating, but to clear the rate we did on Tuesday was phenomenal and good for everyone,” Declared Martin Donohoe. “This is all encouraging for the big autumn sales, which I am looking forward to with optimism.”

Sale toppers

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The top price of €12,000 fell to Brian Flynn and Meabh Bolger’s MBF Hats Off, a seven-year-old gelding. Bred by Jim Bourke, the son of Pacino, out of Cappanaleigh Rose (Verdi), has show jumped and evented, excelling in the latter. There were plenty of bidders at ringside and he was secured as a potential working hunter by Monmouth agent Andrew Williams.

Brian Treacy’s five-year-old Treacy’s Four Leaf Clover made a healthy €10,800. The OBOS Quality-sired homebred is out of the grand prix show jumper Treacys Clover (Clover Fields). He was knocked down to an eventing cash buyer. Earlier in the day event rider Rachel White paid €10,000 for Jason Higgins’ six-year-old thoroughbred gelding by Emperor Augustus (dam by Gulland).

The final five figure return emerged from the three-year-olds on Tuesday when Monbeg Sport Horses bought Kevin Fawl’s homebred Caheradoo Magic ay €10,800. One of a substantial number of entries by the popular sire OBOS Quality, he was out of Caheradoo Donna by Conspiracy M2S.

Older horses saw numerous lively exchanges between the trade and the private sector, including for the ownership of Willie Gleason’s Dowdstown Quality. Angela Flynn bought this five-year-old chestnut mare by OBOS Quality out of Narina (Indoctro) for €8,200.

Michael and Karina Mescal’s bay mare Courage of Rehys (by Rehy High Society) sold well to British buyer Julie Whibley for €8,000. Overall nearly half of those sold realised in excess of €4,000, contributing to a clearance rate of 67% together with a good average of €4,240. (€4,236 in 2018).

Four-year-olds

In contrast, the appetite for younger stock was almost insatiable. Of the four-year-olds on offer 95% changed hands, with two-thirds making over €4,000.

Heading these at €8,600 was PJ Kearns’ four-year-old filly by KEC Maximum Joe out of My Little Star (Quick Star). Broken and produced by Thomas Quigley, the homebred filly was bought by Chesterfield rider Lloyd Royle.

Another stand-out was Fiona Brady’s filly by VDL Dakar who was secured by event rider Rachel White for €8,000.

Three-year-olds and ponies

Strong demand saw a 90% clearance rate, with 14 lots making over €4,000. Sale toppers aside, best of the rest was Anna Doyle’s black gelding Ard Golden Crisp out of Kilquilley Roller (High Roller) who made €6,100.

Seven of the 10 ponies sold at an average of €2,785. The best return of €4,000 went to Sunita Jackson’s seven-year-old Little Hobbit, bought by Tom Browning.