Bringing the sale’s year to a close, two busy renewals took place at Goresbridge last week. The opening one-day sport horse fixture attracted a surprising number of overseas customers who contributed to an improved clearance of 71% (65% in 2016) together with a sale-topping return of €13,200 (€7,800).

Saturday’s regular bi-monthly dispersal was also well attended, and due to a lively demand for foals produced a top return of €6,000.

Overall, it was a satisfactory close to the year.

Sale topper

Consigned by Vincent Murphy from Ballinsillogue, Co Wicklow, the sale topper at €13,200 was Ogue Special a three-year-old by I’m Special de Muze out of Ogue Carel Alice by Ars Vivendi.

Home bred by Murphy and his sister Anne, the gelding is related to the good show jumper Alfurist (1.50m) ridden by Daryl Walker, as well as the useful Kingsland Cavalier.

The gelding came on the market at €7,200 before the hammer finally fell in favour of Co Wexford rider Jason Higgins.

While there was a steady market for ponies and the better produced older stock, it was the younger performers that created the most interest. Although they were selective throughout, pin-hookers and producers tangled for the most commercial prospects, most notably for Seamus Walsh’s traditionally bred three-year-old by the thoroughbred Rainstown Hollow (dam by Ghareeb).

The homebred gelding looked every inch an event horse, and was bought by Co Wexford-based producer Steven Smith at €8,000.

UK bound

Both the sale toppers will remain in Ireland, but one crossing the water to England was Sergiy Makhinya’s four-year-old gelding by Lordanos (dam by Silvorado). Smartly bred, and counting the show jumper Portlaoise Silver Diamond as a sibling, the David Molly-bred gelding changed hands for €7,500, and is set to go eventing it the hands of northern England based rider James Adams.

Heading the older horse market at €6,000 was Roger Collins’ six-year-old by Aldatus Z (dam by High Roller). This attractive sort was knocked down to Browning, Jones and Morris Ltd, and will be competed on British soil by Somerset based event rider Selina Milnes.

Several lots changed hands for around the €4000 - €5,000 mark, the best of which at €4,800 fell to a four-year-old gelding by Loch Cruise (dam by Cult Hero). Bred by Michael Byrne in Co Wicklow, he was secured by regular buyers Graham and Holly Smith.

Saturday

Saturday’s bi-monthly mixed sale offered a strong catalogue of foals, with two colt foals standing out. The first, consigned and bred by the Purthill family, was by the popular sire Sligo Candy Boy out of the well related Aidensfield Caprice (Aldatus Z).

A half-brother to the RDS winning seven year-old Seaburg (1.30m) and also Via Butterfly Flip (1.20m) this colt was snapped up at €6,000 by pin-hooker Pat Fenlon.

Another to turn heads was Michael Keane’s colt by Rehy High Society (dam by Akbar). Agent Ken Parkhill signed the docket for this well presented colt, who looked astutely sourced at €3,000.

Top prices

• Vincent Murphy’s 3 yo gelding by I’m Special de Muze (dam by Ars Vivendi) €13,200.

• Seamus Walsh’s 3 yo gelding by Rainstown Hollow (dam by Ghareeb) €8,000.

• Sergiy Makhinya’s 4 yo gelding by Lordanos (dam by Silvorado) €7,500

• Roger Collins’ 5 yo gelding by Aldatus Z (dam by High Roller) €6,000

• A.Purthill’s colt foal by Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Aldatus Z) €6,000 (Saturday).