An array of eventing’s best known riders gathered at the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale in Co Wexford last week, where they witnessed a son of Newmarket Venture head the evening’s trade at a glittering €130,000.
Beautifully produced by his vendor Sophie Richards, the five-year-old easily fulfilled his pre-sale favouritism, while others impressed to deliver a glut of notable returns. Prices remained solid throughout the night, although the clearance rate of 60% (77% in 2016) was disappointingly lower than expected.
In many cases vendors appeared to have unrealistic reserves, while others were not in a position to sell. Reflecting on the evening’s trade Martin Donohoe commented. “We are very pleased with the prices, although naturally disappointed by the clearance. There were plenty of positives however, with 10 horses bound for America, and a further number heading for Germany and Switzerland.
Figures analysis
There were a multitude of good returns throughout the evening, and clearance aside, the figures stacked up well against the record breaking sale of 12 months ago. The overall average of €19,847 (€20,985) compared well to last year, as did the trade for three-year-olds which delivered an average of €14,750 (€15,239 in 2016).
The four-year-old prices also remained constant to record €19,533 (€19.916). Summing up, seven lots realised in excess of €30,000, and a further nine progressed to realise figures ranging from €20,000 - €30,000.
Sale topper
“We’re shocked, surprised and delighted,” said Sophie Richards, who with her partner Stevie Smith, was the happy vendor of the top priced lot. The Barnadown-based pair had sourced the gelding from his breeder James Bradley two years ago, and had taken their time in his production.
Bred to perform, the well related five-year-old is by Billy Daly’s Hanoverian sire Newmarket Venture out of Kilderry Clover (Clover Hill), and boosting his credentials, he is a full brother to the four-star event mare Annie Clover.
Several riders had tried the gelding prior to sale, but it came as no surprise to learn that the hammer had fallen in favour of Yorkshire owner Gerry Kemp, who’s rider Nicola Wilson was Annie Clover’s long-term partner.
Bidding by telephone and getting the better of four other contenders, Kemp and Wilson were thrilled with their purchase. “I’m so lucky to have been given the ride.” Said Wilson afterwards. “He’s been beautifully produced by Sophie, and reminds me very much of Annie Clover, although he’s obviously bigger, and more up in the shoulders and the withers.”
Other notables
The first horse to make a real impact was Noel Ryan’s GRC Cu Chulainn, a traditionally bred five-year-old by Clover Brigade. The Rory Costigan-bred gelding was relatively unproduced, but showing plenty of ability under Gemma Phelan was knocked down to Richard Sheane (on behalf of American buyer Theresa Loughlin) for €39,000.
Heading the four-year-old figures at €36,000 was MBF Connection, a gelding by Luidam out of a thoroughbred mare by Traditionally. An increasingly popular cross of bloodlines, Meabh Bolger and Brian Flynn’s gelding was one of two lots secured by British international Gemma Tattersall. Signing the docket, Tattersall revealed that the chestnut will be ridden by her partner Matt Heath, but choosing one for herself, she later paid €29,500 for Sarah Ponsonby’s much admired filly by Clover Brigade (dam by Cavalier Royale).
The latter was the top-priced filly of the night, while topping the three-year-old returns at €36,000 was James McEvoy’s classy three-year-old by Rehy High Society. Sourced at Goresbridge as a foal, and placed reserve champion in the potential event horse class at the RDS during the summer, the Francis Green-bred gelding was secured by English rider and producer Valentine Tourres.
Good impression
Another three-year-old to impress was Jason Higgins and Muriel Kehoe’s gelding by Quidam Junior 1 out of Maxi Match by OBOS Quality. A favourite among the many onlookers, he was knocked down to Gloucestershire-based rider and producer Camilla Earnshaw for €35,000.
Selling for the same figure earlier in the evening was the Kennedy Brothers’ four-year-old by OBOS Quality, who having landed the reserve placing in Millstreet Eventing Discovery back in August had made a successful start to his competition career.
Sophie Richards 5 year-old gelding by Newmarket Venture (dam by Clover Hill) €130,000.Noel Ryan’s 5 year-old gelding by Clover Brigade (dam by Flagmount King) €39,000.MBF Sport Horses 4 year-old gelding by Luidam (dam by Traditionally) €36,000James McEvoy’s three-year-old gelding by Rehy High Society (dam by Cavalier Royale) €36,000.Kennedy Brothers’ four-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Maltstriker) €35,000.Jason Higgins and Muriel Kehoe’s three-year-old gelding by Quidam Junior (dam by OBOS Quality) €35,000.Fact file
America bound: Ten horses which were sold are bound for America.
Overall average: The overall average of €19,847 (€20,985) compared well to last year.
Breeding success: James Bradley bred the sale topper, Gurtera Mattie Clover.
Traditionally-bred: GRC Cu Chulainn, a traditionally bred five-year-old by Clover Brigade, sold for €39,000.
An array of eventing’s best known riders gathered at the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale in Co Wexford last week, where they witnessed a son of Newmarket Venture head the evening’s trade at a glittering €130,000.
Beautifully produced by his vendor Sophie Richards, the five-year-old easily fulfilled his pre-sale favouritism, while others impressed to deliver a glut of notable returns. Prices remained solid throughout the night, although the clearance rate of 60% (77% in 2016) was disappointingly lower than expected.
In many cases vendors appeared to have unrealistic reserves, while others were not in a position to sell. Reflecting on the evening’s trade Martin Donohoe commented. “We are very pleased with the prices, although naturally disappointed by the clearance. There were plenty of positives however, with 10 horses bound for America, and a further number heading for Germany and Switzerland.
Figures analysis
There were a multitude of good returns throughout the evening, and clearance aside, the figures stacked up well against the record breaking sale of 12 months ago. The overall average of €19,847 (€20,985) compared well to last year, as did the trade for three-year-olds which delivered an average of €14,750 (€15,239 in 2016).
The four-year-old prices also remained constant to record €19,533 (€19.916). Summing up, seven lots realised in excess of €30,000, and a further nine progressed to realise figures ranging from €20,000 - €30,000.
Sale topper
“We’re shocked, surprised and delighted,” said Sophie Richards, who with her partner Stevie Smith, was the happy vendor of the top priced lot. The Barnadown-based pair had sourced the gelding from his breeder James Bradley two years ago, and had taken their time in his production.
Bred to perform, the well related five-year-old is by Billy Daly’s Hanoverian sire Newmarket Venture out of Kilderry Clover (Clover Hill), and boosting his credentials, he is a full brother to the four-star event mare Annie Clover.
Several riders had tried the gelding prior to sale, but it came as no surprise to learn that the hammer had fallen in favour of Yorkshire owner Gerry Kemp, who’s rider Nicola Wilson was Annie Clover’s long-term partner.
Bidding by telephone and getting the better of four other contenders, Kemp and Wilson were thrilled with their purchase. “I’m so lucky to have been given the ride.” Said Wilson afterwards. “He’s been beautifully produced by Sophie, and reminds me very much of Annie Clover, although he’s obviously bigger, and more up in the shoulders and the withers.”
Other notables
The first horse to make a real impact was Noel Ryan’s GRC Cu Chulainn, a traditionally bred five-year-old by Clover Brigade. The Rory Costigan-bred gelding was relatively unproduced, but showing plenty of ability under Gemma Phelan was knocked down to Richard Sheane (on behalf of American buyer Theresa Loughlin) for €39,000.
Heading the four-year-old figures at €36,000 was MBF Connection, a gelding by Luidam out of a thoroughbred mare by Traditionally. An increasingly popular cross of bloodlines, Meabh Bolger and Brian Flynn’s gelding was one of two lots secured by British international Gemma Tattersall. Signing the docket, Tattersall revealed that the chestnut will be ridden by her partner Matt Heath, but choosing one for herself, she later paid €29,500 for Sarah Ponsonby’s much admired filly by Clover Brigade (dam by Cavalier Royale).
The latter was the top-priced filly of the night, while topping the three-year-old returns at €36,000 was James McEvoy’s classy three-year-old by Rehy High Society. Sourced at Goresbridge as a foal, and placed reserve champion in the potential event horse class at the RDS during the summer, the Francis Green-bred gelding was secured by English rider and producer Valentine Tourres.
Good impression
Another three-year-old to impress was Jason Higgins and Muriel Kehoe’s gelding by Quidam Junior 1 out of Maxi Match by OBOS Quality. A favourite among the many onlookers, he was knocked down to Gloucestershire-based rider and producer Camilla Earnshaw for €35,000.
Selling for the same figure earlier in the evening was the Kennedy Brothers’ four-year-old by OBOS Quality, who having landed the reserve placing in Millstreet Eventing Discovery back in August had made a successful start to his competition career.
Sophie Richards 5 year-old gelding by Newmarket Venture (dam by Clover Hill) €130,000.Noel Ryan’s 5 year-old gelding by Clover Brigade (dam by Flagmount King) €39,000.MBF Sport Horses 4 year-old gelding by Luidam (dam by Traditionally) €36,000James McEvoy’s three-year-old gelding by Rehy High Society (dam by Cavalier Royale) €36,000.Kennedy Brothers’ four-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality (dam by Maltstriker) €35,000.Jason Higgins and Muriel Kehoe’s three-year-old gelding by Quidam Junior (dam by OBOS Quality) €35,000.Fact file
America bound: Ten horses which were sold are bound for America.
Overall average: The overall average of €19,847 (€20,985) compared well to last year.
Breeding success: James Bradley bred the sale topper, Gurtera Mattie Clover.
Traditionally-bred: GRC Cu Chulainn, a traditionally bred five-year-old by Clover Brigade, sold for €39,000.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: