Irish Horse: Ermitage Kalone commands top price at Cavan

Some much-improved returns emerged from Cavan last week, where a lively two-day sale of youngstock and Irish Draughts produced some notable prices across the board. In the former sector where the demand was more selective, the average rose to €4,078 from €3,250 twelve months ago, while the clearance hovered at a similar 54% (58% in 2022).

Trade was more consistent among the Irish Draughts, and was especially strong in the broodmare sector. As a result, the day’s average and the clearance both showed signs of improvement at €3,004 (€2,880) and 64% (61%) respectively.

YOUNGSTOCK SALE TOPPERS

An astute purchase paid dividends for breeder James Keane, whose filly foal by the Selle Francais sire Ermitage Kalone topped the day’s figures at a healthy €12,500. Keane had sourced the Zangersheide-bred dam (by Cancara Z) earlier in the year, before she gave birth to this filly in June. The sire recently won the Belgian championship in Lanakan, and on the back of this result could soon become a familiar name in breeding circles.

Selling as one of the last lots on Wednesday night, she was knocked down to the Co Meath based Trade Horses Ltd. The filly was the day’s only five figure return, but coming close at €9,500 was Patrick Connolly’s CSF Chavanna, another filly this time by Chacoon Blue out of the well-related CSF Dolores (Ars Vivendi). Local man Joe Reilly signed the docket for this smart foal, whose sibling CSF Dano competed in Lanaken earlier this month.

Another of the notables, and the highest priced colt was Cliodhna Breen’s foal by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of her own jumping mare Dundalk Lass by Luidam. Secured by a cash customer, he will remain in Ireland.

Summing up, it was a good sale for the right foal, and while the figures improved, it is worth noting that only just over half of those sold realised in excess of €3,000.

IRISH DRAUGHTS

Attracting a big crowd, the sale of Irish Draughts was headed by Vincent Burn’s proven broodmare Cornamuckla Coleen by Agherlow. The thirteen-year-old mare had already bred a RDS working hunter winner in Moylough Vision and, safely in foal to Lisatara Tom, was knocked down to Co Clare’s Peter Burns at €9,500.

Travelling from Co Westmeath, John Bracken was an active buyer, and among his purchases at €8,000 was Paddy Kelly’s Jenkinstown Beauty, a six-year-old mare by Dunsandle Diamond (dam by Drumri), who was safely in foal to Heigh Ho Dubh.

Never far from ringside, Bracken also snapped up John Corbett’s top priced two-year-old filly Dungar Lady Jane by Carrick Cottage Star at €6,000.

Fermanagh base James Melanopy enjoyed a good day at the office, when he sold two mares by Dunbeggan Grey Mist. Having a liking for the sire, Pat O’Gorman paid €6,200 for both the seven-year-old Loughmelvin Nonin (dam by Welcome Flagmount) and later €5,800 for similarly aged Loughmelvin Almha.

Demand for foals was steadier, with a colt foal by Como Sir Don Cliff realising €4,000 leaving the best filly return at €2,600 to a filly by Touch of the Emperor.

IRISH DRAUGHTS

Vincent Burns’ Cornamuckla Coleen, 13-year-old mare by Agherlow (dam by Crannagh Hero) €9,500.

Paddy Kelly’s Jenkinstown Beauty, six-year-old mare by Dunsandle Diamond (dam by Drumri) €8,000.

James Melanopy’s Loughmelvin Nonin, seven-year-old mare by Dunbeggan Grey Mist (dam by Welcome Flagmount) €6,200.

YOUNGSTOCK

James Keane’s filly foal by Ermitage Kalone (dam by Cancara Z) €12,500.

Patrick Connolly’s CSF Chavanna, filly foal by Chacoon Blue (dam by Ars Vivendi) €9,500.

Cliodhna Breen’s colt foal by Emerald Van’t Rutershof (dam’s sire unrecorded) €8,800.