With his third sale of the year already behind him, new Goresbridge Horse Sales owner Ed Donohoe has opened his tenure in a highly satisfactory fashion.
An increased marketing push resulted in a bumper catalogue for the May sale which, living up to expectations, delivered a top price of €28,500 together with a clearance of 72% (70% in 2023).
In a trade dominated by older stock and four-year-olds, 21 individuals realised in excess of €10,000, with the former group achieving an average of €6,808 and the latter at €6,406.
Disappointingly, and despite the market buoyancy, these figures were let down by a sticky and selective three-year-old session, which reduced the overall average to €5,755. Summing up however, it was another very solid edition for the new Goresbridge team, who have a busy summer ahead.
Having headed the figures in March, and featuring twice in the top five returns last week, MBF Sporthorses are no strangers to sale topping honours. The Co Waterford duo of Meabh and Brian Flynn are masters in production, and were well rewarded when their four-year-old gelding Party Boy Z headed the renewal at a healthy €28,500.
Standing just 16hh, the son of Presley Boy had been imported from Europe last year. Well related, he is out of the good jumping mare Atomone by Karandasj. A talented individual and well showcased under Meabh Flynn, he attracted a large number of prospective buyers to ringside where, after a lengthy exchange, he was secured by Ed Donohoe, bidding on the telephone on behalf on an American eventing customer.
Online bidding
The market, which was brisk throughout, was strongly influenced by the online platform, as well as the commercial and private buyers. All played their part in the sale of Jim Seymour’s homebred jumping mare June Vivant who topped the older horse sector at €16,500.
A proven performer, the daughter of Vivant Van De Heffinck had racked up 134 SJI points under Liam O’Meara. She is out of the grade A mare June Johnson (OBOS Quality). British buyer George Dodds accounted for this eye catcher, while Jacqueline Browne’s similarly experienced, show jumper Keelnacally Cobra Clover was knocked down to Edward Burke for €14,000.
Another to feature among the 10 five-figure sales was Gemma Murphy’s Cappa Junior, a five-year-old grey gelding believed to be by Cappa Sarsfield. An attractive sort, he looked well bought at €11,500 by regular buyers European Sport Horses (UK). Traditionally bred horses fared well, and notably Dermott Molloy’s five-year-old Bailey, who sold for €11,000 online is by Classiebawn Hughes Promise (dam by Cork Arthur).
Four-year-olds
Garnering the bulk of the top prices, the four-year-old sector delivered a further nine five-figure returns and was topped at €16,000 by the sale of Johnny Widger’s smart filly by Chacoa. Sourced through the same sale ring last October, she is out Clover’s Connection by Corlough Clover and was knocked down to Co Laois based agents Richard and Daisy Trayford on behalf of American client Jennifer Treacy.
As prices clustered solidly, the MBF Sporthorses-consigned MBF Oakley by Ardcolum Duke (dam by Financial Reward) was another traditionally bred success. Bidding online and successful at €15,500, Phoebe Hughes was the eventual purchaser for this good sort, who bred by Elspeth Bennett was sourced earlier in the year.
Three-year-olds
The final session of three-year-olds was predictably quiet and resulted in a disappointing clearance of 60% and an average of €3,020. At €6,200, Tom O’Brien’s gelding by Tyson (dam by Iroko) was the stand out, and while it is early in the year for the age group, the absence of a middle market may be a concern moving forward.
Ponies
The opening pony section of the sale proved especially lively to return a top price of €11,000 and a clearance of 77%. Top billing fell to Niall Redmond’s Connemara gelding Dandy by Maecon Boy out of Riverstown Queen (Commanding Hero), while also selling well at €10,000 was Jolyn Byrne’s seven-year-old 148cms mare by Sligo Candy Boy. CL