The Irish sales season got underway at Goresbridge last Friday, where a one-day fixture produced a steady market. Despite the numerically modest catalogue, there was plenty of overseas trade, as customers from Germany, Sweden and Great Britain tangled with those from home soil.

The prices largely reflected the mixed quality of the stock, and while there was a very solid market between €4,000 – €5,000 it was a little disappointing to note that the figures had dipped from those of 12 months ago.

The final returns illustrated that 64% (70% in 2017) of the 74 horses on offer changed hands, albeit at a respectable average of €3,060.

Sale topper

At €5,200, Marie Hartley’s sale-topping mare by Captain Clover was typical of the type in demand. Well produced by his owner to rack up 39 SJI points in classes up to 1.10m level, the seven-year-old Scarthill Captain Morgan was considered an ideal young rider prospect.

Attractively bred by Bridget O’Donoghoe, out of Listowel Beltane (Maltstriker), she is a full sister to the graded show jumpers The Captains Call (1.45m) and the Westaway.

This smart performer was eventually knocked down to Ballinasloe man Kieran Egan on behalf of English trader Penny Grimster.

Other notables

Pleasingly, a further 14 lots made in excess of €4,000 among which was MBF Sport Horses’ entry Coruscate, a six-year-old gelding by Vancouver out of the thoroughbred mare Da Pooch (Key of Luck).

Sourced recently from his breeder Naoimh McCann, and lightly produced by MBF rider Meabh Bolger in Co Waterford, he looked well bought at €5,100 by Co Cork show jumping rider Ciaran O’Connor.

In keeping with the demand on the day, Cliodhna Breen’s experienced show jumper Single Payment also proved popular when he changed hands for €5,000. The 12-year-old had accumulated a career total of 89 SJI points, and again was thought suitable to carry a young rider or junior. British customer Alison Cadwell signed for this one, while earlier in the day fellow UK resident Ran Arbel paid €4,900 apiece for two five-year-olds with potential.

Arbel who deals from his base at Oswestry on the Welsh borders was delighted to find Maura Counihan’s homebred chestnut by KEC Maximum Joe, and then Ann Grace’s homebred mare by Yeats.

Top prices

• Marie Hartley’s Scarthill Captain Morgan, 7 yo mare by Captain Clover (dam by Maltstriker) €5,200.

• MBF Sport Horses’ Coruscate, 6 yo b gelding by Vancouver (dam by Key of Luck) €5,100

• Cliodhna Breen’s Single Payment, 12 yo gelding by Furistos Courage (dam by Ricardo Z) €5,000

• Maura Counihan’s Killerisk Maximillian, 5 yo gelding by KEC Maximum Joe (dam by Ballintogher Bud) €4,900

• Ann Grace’s 5 yo mare by Yeats (dam by Carrabawn View) €4,900.