With the strong demand for sport horses showing no signs of waning, Cavan enjoyed another solid sale last Tuesday. Dominated by the commercial sector, the one-day fixture delivered four, five figure returns together with a top price of €16,000. With 83% (73% in 2023) of those on offer changing hands, it was a clearly a seller’s market, and one that was particularly lively in the middle range sector.

The appetite for the general, well-produced riding horse proved strong throughout, and while the big prices were notably lighter than twelve months ago, the average held up well to dip only slightly to €5,853 (versus €6,057).

Sale topper

One of the happiest vendors of the day was 13-year-old Caoimhe O’Meara, whose seven-year-old 138cms mare MH Bellamianta (breeding unrecorded) was one of several knocked down to trader Padraig Dolan for a massive €16,000.

The mare, who was sourced two months earlier, had been bought as a project by Caoimhe and her brother Conor, and although she had no winnings or obvious mileage, she had a great temperament and visible potential. One who certainly thought so was her Co Roscommon buyer Dolan, who active throughout the day, was delighted to have secured her.

Pragmatic about the price he had to pay, Munsboro resident Dolan disclosed that he sells primarily to Eastern Europe, and wisely commented, “We look for potential and their ability to be good at the level they will be aimed at.” “The plan for this mare is to give her some time, and then do a bit with her during the summer.”

Flossy’s Little Lady (Lot 11), an eye catching 148cm seven-year-old dun mare, made the notable figure at €13,500 \ Sally Parkyn

Notables

Next in line at €14,000 was Beth O’Leary’s home produced OKE Beach Time, a five-year-old mare by Beach Ball out of the imported dam B Termie R 6 by Germus R. Co Sligo trader Tiernan Gray signed for this flashy individual, who having been quietly produced, is already the winner of 4 SJI points.

In addition to any future competition career, she also has paddock potential as, bred by Martina McCrory, she is a half sibling to not only the CCI4* event horse Oke Ruby R but also to Edward Doyle Jnr’s young jumper Oke Lulu Star (1.35m).

The pony sale topper set the scene for the day in the best of style, and the buoyancy was maintained when a few lots later Padraig Dolan returned to ringside to secure Mooney Farms Ltd’s Flossy’s Little Lady for €13,500. Another seven-year-old, this 148cms mare was believed to be by a Connemara sire, and as a potential jumper had impressed when showcasing prior to sale.

The final lot to achieve five figures was Fiona Donohue’s traditionally bred gelding Loobrhu Looking Dazzled, a five-year-old gelding by the Connemara sire Meelickisland Dazzler out of Loobrhu Looking For by Looking For. Home-produced, the hammer fell at €10,000 when knocked down to Paul McEntee on behalf of regular Belgian customer Luc DeLoof.

Dominic McFadden’s four-year-old Durrow Chester (Lot 93) realised €9,200 \ Sally Parkyn

Other eyecatchers

One of the most established performer of those on offer was Tracey Quinn’s seven-year-old mare Lilla My, by My O My. The winner of 113 SJI points to date, she was sourced three years ago, and secured by Swedish buyer Tomas Johansson for €9,500.

As the day progressed, seven lots made in excess of €8,000, the best of which at €9,200 fell to Dominic McFadden’s four-year-old age topper Durrow Chester (no recorded breeding) as well as to Eddie O’Connell and Sarah Barry’s similarly aged hunter Silver Divine. The former looked well bought by English trade buyer and show jumping producer Caron Nicol, while the latter, who had hunted with the North Tipperary hounds was knocked down to Armagh customer Sylvia Steele.

These aforementioned four-year-olds bucked the general trend however, as the day’s best returns fell predominately to the older age group.

Harwel Drummer Boy (Lot 21), a 128cm approx six-year-old bay gelding, made €7,800 \ Sally Parkyn

Top returns

• Conor and Caoimhe O’Meara’s MH Bellamianta, seven-year-old 138cms mare (no recorded breeding) €16,000.

• Beth O’Leary’s five-year-old Oke Beach Time, five-year-old mare by Beach Ball (dam by Germus R) €14,000.

• Mooney Farm Ltd’s Flossy’s Little Lady, seven-year-old 148cms mare (no recorded breeding) €13,500.

• Fiona Donohue’s Loobrhu Looking Dazzled, five-year-old gelding by Meeklickisland Dazzler (dam by Looking For) €10,400.

• Tracey Quinn’s Lilla My, seven-year-old mare by My O My (dam by Great Palm) €9,500.