The appetite for well-produced riding horses has held up well in recent months. As a result, last week’s early summer renewal at Cavan was a lively affair.

Business was brisk and competitive from the outset as customers from Belgium, Canada, England, Sweden and Ireland tussled for the major spoils. Those from the trade sector were particularly active, but in a few cases had to make way for the more determined private buyer.

At the close of play, 72% (69% in 2023) of those on offer changed hands, while the average, which returned a healthy €6,080, showed a slight deficit from 12 months ago (€6,244).

Heading the one-day edition at €14,000, and one of six lots to realise five figures, was Marleese Carey’s five-year-old gelding Allegre. Standing at just 158cm, and with no recorded breeding (although believed to be by Cheeky Bobby Sparrow), the grey was an obvious stand out on the day, and was finally secured by agent Louise Hollywood on behalf of absentee Canadian customer Tamarack Ridge Farm.

“I didn’t think I would have to pay that much, but it’s not easy to buy them and the opposition was determined,” said Hollywood. “He’s a lovely type of horse, who rode beautifully and the vendor seemed very genuine.”

Indeed, Carey, who had sourced the gelding privately two years ago, is a great believer in giving her horses time, and had produced this one carefully and slowly throughout. Lightly competed, he was placed second in his first dressage show, and this year had been shown in some working hunter classes.

One heading for a more high-powered career was Rachel Moloney’s imported seven-year-old show jumper Holmoak Kina. The winner of 37 SJI points to date, the German bred daughter of Van Gogh (dam by Cador) was knocked down to Newbury based producer Robert Stronge for €12,000 and will now be campaigned by his daughter Poppy.

Throughout the day , and yet another without recorded breeding was David Reilly’s five-year-old palomino gelding Tullycommon Ashy. Originally bought from Granard market as a foal, the home produced gelding was snapped up by Donegal trader Ian Smith for €10,800.

British based dealers were a dominant force, and accounting for two of the better priced lots was Michael Kelly.

First up, he paid €10,400 for Lorraine Trenier’s Cloverhills Quality Dancer by Bailies Rebel (dam by Huntingfield Rebel), a seven-year-old mare with a career total of 28 SJI points. A few lots later Kelly was back at ringside, to secure the five-year-old Renkum Rendition for €10,100. A useful sort, this son of Irco Balou was out of Renkum Colitas by Renkum Valentino and having competed in age classes also showed eventing potential.

As regular vendors at the venue, Fairview Stud achieved a good result when their Can Do It, a six-year-old mare by Sligo Candy Boy out of Good Touch (by Touchdown but unrecorded) realised the final five figure return at €10,000. The winner of ten SJI points, she was secured by British customer Veronica Delicata.

Round-up

The opening session of ponies delivered a solid trade which was topped by the sale of Brendan Keown’s Simply Marigold at €9,800. This six-year-old 148cm mare by Moyan Mirah (CP) was out of the thoroughbred mare Dance with Destiny (Key of Luck) and looked well bought by regular pony buyer Niall Daly.

While the trade for the older stock was solid, demand dipped with the appearance of the younger horses.

The best four-year-old return at €7,800 fell to Sean Kearney’s Connemara bred 154cm gelding by Tullymore Dew (dam by Blackwoodland Basil), while heading the three-year-olds at €4,500 was Vincent Meaney’s Genfiddich Rebel by Gleneven Rebel (dam by Figaro Z Van Paenal).

Marleese Carey’s Allegre, 5 year-old gelding 158cm (no recorded breeding), €14,000

Rachel Moloney’s Holmoak Kina, 7 year-old mare by Van Gogh (dam by Cador), €12,000

David Reilly’s Tullycommon Ashy, 5 year-old gelding (no recorded breeding), €10,800

Lorraine Trenier’s Cloverhills Quality Dancer, 7 year-old mare by OBOS Quality (dam by Huntingfield Rebel), €10,400

Stacy Watling’s Renkum Rendition, 5 year-old gelding by Irco Balou (dam by Renkum Valentino), €10,100

Fairview Stud’s Can Do It, 6 year-old mare by Sligo Candy Boy (dam unrecorded), €10,000.