A well-related four-year-old son of OBOS Quality took centre stage at Cavan last week, heading the one-day figures at €7,000. The gelding, which was consigned by Kennedy Sport Horses, was out of Flowers Galore (Glidawn Diamond) and a half-brother to the useful international show jumper KEC Alora. He drew a large crowd to the ringside and was eventually snapped up by Co Antrim buyer Michelle Strange.

“I was looking for a nice four-year-old for this season, and I loved the breeding and the jump,” said Strange.

Despite a smaller entry, the renewal was well supported by buyers and produced some brisk trading throughout the day. The clearance of 77% (71% in 2014) was a notably good one while the average of €2,230 (€1,976) also showed an increase from the previous year.

Sale-topper aside, just one lot realised in excess of €5,000, while a further six broke the €4,000 mark. As ever, demand was strongest for those with competition form or similar potential, and one to sell well at €5,600 was Michaela McFarland’s seven-year-old mare Aughlin Angel. By the Selle Français stallion Fenil de B’Neville (by Papillon Rouge) out of a Basil Masterpiece dam, Aughlin Angel had clocked up 10 SJI points this season and was among the ribbons at Mullingar International just three weeks ago. Only for sale as her owner was injured, she was knocked down to Aberdeenshire buyer Sally McCarthy.

Prices livened in the four-year-old sector, where Fairview Stud’s Its Aright headed the age group at €5,000. Jim Derwin signed for this flashy sort, who although lacked recorded breeding, was by Boherdeal Clover out of a French Buffet-sired dam.

Willows Sport Horse’s eye grey filly Lotto Lady (by Mermus R) also stood out, selling to Swedish buyer Tomas Johansson for €4,600.

Heading the older horses section at €4,600 was Darren Ryan’s show jumper Bally Art, a grade B jumper with 162 SJI points. Yorkshire producer Graham Sugden accounted for this lightly campaigned gelding, while selling privately later in the day Seamus Dillon’s five-year-old gelding Moss Cottage Lad (no catalogued breeding) realised €4,750 to fellow English buyer Maxine Lower.

Ponies

Ponies delivered a similar solid trade, with two individuals breaking the €4,000 barrier. Both looked full of potential and selling for the best price of €4,200 was Brian Morgan’s River Lilly, a four-year-old dun filly by Shadows Dun (dam by Moore Clover). The winner of the Millstreet loose jumping in 2014, and a half-sister to the good jumping pony River Casanova, River Lilly was well showcased under saddle by Christopher Slattery. Her performance certainly impressed English pony show jumper Amy Barratt, who was thrilled to have made the purchase.

“We just thought her flat work was exceptional for her age, as was the jump,” she said afterwards.

Completing a good day for James Cregan’s Fairview Stud, the five-year-old mare Lookout Wireless Girl by Oyster Bandit sold at €4,000. Beautifully ridden by 12-year-old Robyn Moran, the mare, who has 9 SJI points to date, heads to Belgium with Marcelle Rombouts.