With two colt foals realising five figure returns, there was a strong trade for blacktype pedigrees at Cavan last week. The one-day fixture for young stock, (which incorporated the ‘winter selection’ for noteworthy foals) delivered a healthy hike in clearance to 64% (45% in 2020), while the average remained very similar to twelve months ago at €3,525 (€3,516). Both the fillies and the colts proved popular throughout, and while Irish buyers were by far the dominant force, a handful of foals are bound for England and the US.

Sale topper

Living up to his sale topping status, Francis Tubman’s colt by Vivant Van de Heffinck was a flashy individual with four white socks. A real head turner, he was the fifth foal out of the young mare Derena Elegant Lady by Pacino, and while the dam’s pedigree is a little light on blacktype, his siblings are already impressing under saddle.

There was considerable interest in the colt, but no one was as determined as Vere Phillips (Futurerate) who eventually secured him for €10,700. Although Phillips was not at Cavan in person, he had viewed the videos prior to sale and had Eamon Rice as his eyes on the ground.

Speaking after the sale, the delighted Cavan breeder remarked that he had selected the sire, Vivant Van de Heffinck for his quality and jumping ability, and revealed that the mare is now in foal to Sligo Candy Boy.

Notables

Realising just €300 less at €10,500 was Stracomer Stables’ smart chestnut colt Stracomer Gillaroo, an early foal by Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve. A catalogue pick on paper, this colt hailed from a very stout dam line being out of the Joe Whitaker ridden campaigner La Mona (1.40m) by Locarno 62. Whitaker also rode the second dam, Desdemona (1.50m) and adding further depth, the family also includes Donatella (1.40m) who was the dam of the Shane Breen ridden Undicci (1.60m). This likely jumper was knocked down to an Irish ‘cash’ customer.

Another successful breeder/vendor was Co Meath’s Heather Dean-Wright, who had a day to remember when her two fillies filled the next two slots at €7,600 and €7,400 respectively. The first was the well-related Ard Harrissa who is by Ganesh Hero Z out of Walenka (Calvados). The dam is a full-sister to the top mare Vancouver (1.50m) who in turn was the dam of Freya (1.50m) and to Huntelaar (1.40m). The filly looked well bought by the American based Lakeview Farm, while featuring the same dam line, the second of the duo was a palomino filly by Quincy B. Eamon O’Sullivan signed the docket at €7,400 for this filly who is out of Ard Milkshake (by Ard Golden Crisp) a half-sister to Ard Harrissa. Trevor Gaffney’s Freestyling Farms have been loyal supporters at Cavan in recent years, and at €7,200 accounted for the Tieraragh Stud’s unnamed filly by Gran Dorado out of Coosan Lass by Cruising.

Thoroughbred foals were in the minority but one to sell well at €3,400 was a colt by Centennial out of Glen Penny by Dock Leaf. Carrying 75% thoroughbred blood, he was secured by event producer John Bannon.

The second day was also lively, and confined to Irish Draught stock, delivered an average of €2,958 (€2,723) together with a clearance of 65% (63%). These figures illustrated a slight improvement from 2020, with the best of prices falling to the mares and older stock.

Sale topper

Having enjoyed a successful showing career, Keith Buchanan’s Wood Quarter Lady by Mountain Diamond out of Carmoney Lady (Soft Centre) was the stand out lot at €8,200. An eight-year-old grey mare, and already the dam of winners, she was scanned in foal to Moylough Legacy and knocked down to Tom Ireton.

Notables

Heading the geldings at €8,000 was White Agri’s four-year-old by Creggan Emperor. British buyer Chris Hill was at ringside to secure this chestnut, while Noel Boyle paid the same amount for Pat McCormack’s three-year-old filly by Carrickrockcottage Star.

Prices dropped for the foals, but heading them at a respectable €3,400 was a colt by Hollypark Diamond (Gentle Diamond). Fillies also sold well enough, with a filly by Carrigcottage Star out of Merrymate by Merrygold realising the top price of €3,250. Prices for the remaining foals held up well to range between €1,500-€3,000.

Top returns

Youngstock

  • Francis Tubman’s Derena Diego, colt foal by Vivant Van de Heffinck (dam by Pacino) €10,700.
  • Stracomer Stables’ Stracomer Gillaroo, colt foal by Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve (dam by Locarno 62) €10,500.
  • Heather Dean Wright’s Ard Harrissa, filly foal by Ganesh Hero Z (dam by Calvados) €7,600.
  • Irish Darughts

  • Keith Buchanan’s eight-year-old mare by Mountain Diamond (dam by Soft Centre) €8,200.
  • Whites Agri’s four-year-old gelding by Creggan Emperor (dam by Cream of Diamonds) €8,000.
  • Pat McCormack’s three-year-old mare by Carrickrockcottage Star €8,000.