Despite the heightened COVID-19 restrictions, last week’s three-day sale at Cavan was a positive affair. In all three sectors (performance horses, young stock and Irish Draughts) the averages and turnover increased, while only in the two-tier young stock division was the clearance reduced.

Looking back over the three days trade, Stuart Clarke commented: “Wednesday’s sale of young stock was especially difficult, as people didn’t know whether they could or shouldn’t travel. It was difficult and disrupting, but overall, it was a very strong week. The online facility was busy, as we sold around 10-15% online each day.”

Performance sale

Sport horse auctions have enjoyed a buoyant year and last week’s renewal proved no different. The one-day fixture produced two five-figure returns, together with an increased clearance of 67% (59% in 2019) and an average of €4,169 (€3,408).

Heading the 70 horses to change hands was Brian McLaughlin’s four-year-old gelding by Tolan R out of Kilbarron (Baron de Chantepie). Knocked down at €12,100 to a cash customer, this well-related individual is a half-brother to the international jumping mare Kilbarron Rue (1.50m) by Gelvin Clover, as well as three further graded horses.

He had been sourced as a yearling from his Donegal breeder Brian McDaid, and will head to England to further his career.

Another from the ridden sector to impress was Gareth Swaile’s Pinball, a seven-year-old gelding by Beachball out of Beechland Imp (Master Imp) with 31 SJI points. He was also secured by a cash buyer, as was Ron Jefferson’s four-year-old gelding by Ars Vivendi out of Lokota by Athlet-Z at €7,200.

The bulk of the better prices emerged from the three-year-old division, which was headed by the €12,000 cash sale of Mairead Lacey’s home-bred gelding by Tyson out of Suprise van de Somme by Major de la Cour. The dam boasts a stout pedigree, counting five siblings who have competed to 1.50m-1.60m level.

As blacktype European bloodlines dominated, Mark O’Sullivan’s gelding by Cornet Obolensky changed hands online at €9,100. Sourced in Belgium as a yearling, he is from a young and improving family.

At the close of play, 22 of the age group had changed hands, with the next best price going to John Aherne’s Clonroe Ty for €7,100. It was not plain sailing for everyone however, as the remaining lots fluctuated between €1,100 and €6,000.

Young stock

In a very selective market, the smarter foals were, as always, hard to buy, while vendors of the remainder found the going tough. As a result, the figures revealed a significant slide in clearance 44% (66% in 2019) though the average rose to €3,516 (€2,733).

One happy breeder was Thomas Dowd, whose dark colt foal by Sligo Candy Boy closed at €12,500 to head the trade by a distance. He was the second foal out of Highfield Curly Sue by Chacoa, whose grandam was by Diamond Serpent.

British amateur event rider Johnny Hornby accounted for this well-grown foal. Demonstrating his liking for the sire, Hornby also snapped up Philip Meaney’s colt out of Fendoy (Laughtons Flight) for €6,000 as well as €5,000 for Paul Flanagan’s colt out of Annyalla Black Rocket (Kannan).

Among the remaining notables, Kevin Jacob’s two-year-old filly by Ard VDL Douglas (dam by Chello 111) made €7,600, while selling for the same amount to top the premier selection, was Patrick Connolly’s CFS Harvey, a colt by Harley VDL out of SSH Dream of Glory (Cavalier Royale).

CAFRE’s Sligo Candy Boy colt (dam by Guidam) made €6,100, while a further three lots realised €6,000 apiece. The remainder made between €1,300-€5,000.

Irish Draughts

Trade for Irish Draughts has been slowly improving, and the returns were the best seen for several years. Four mares sold for between €4,400 and €5,500, while the top foal (filly) realised €3,300. The clearance rate rose to 63% (57% in 2019) while the average improved to €2,723 (€1,931).

The top price at €5,500 went to Padraig Bohan’s four-year-old filly by Scrapman out of Cornamuckla Colleen (Aherlow). She was knocked down to Co Leitrim’s Paddy Gilligan, just before Michael Flood’s filly by Tors Gentleman Farmer (dam by Cloonacauneen Fourth Champ) changed hands for €4,800.

James Hoare’s Dowdstown Ruby by Moylough Legacy headed the foals at €3,300. This filly is out of the RDS winning dam Dowdstown Jane (Silver Granite) who has bred five previous RDS winners. She will now travel to Dublin with new owner Sandra Hannigan.

Top returns

Performance sale

• Brian McLaughlin’s Lincourt Anohr, four-year-old gelding by Tolan R (dam by Baron de Chantepie) €12,100.

Mairead Lacey’s Rosconnell Thor, three-year-old gelding by Tyson (dam by Major de la Coeur) €12,000.

Mark O’Sullivan’s three-year-old gelding by Cornet Obolensky (dam by Darco) €9,100.

Young Stock

• Thomas Dowd’s colt foal by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Chacoa) €12,500

Kevin Jacob’s two-year-old filly by Ard VDL Douglas (dam by Chello 111 VDL) €7,600.

Patrick Connolly’s colt foal by Harley VDL (dam by Cavalier Royale) €7,600.

Irish Draughts

• Padraig Bohan’s four-year-old mare by Scrapman (dam by Aherlow) €5,500.

Michael Flood’s four-year-old mare by Tors Gentleman Farmer (dam by Coolnacauneen Forth Champ) €4,800.

Patrick Kelly’s three-year-old mare by Scrapman (dam by Fast Silver) €4,600.