Anne Marie Murphy’s home-bred son of Grandorado TN was the star of the show at Goresbridge last week, where he headed the October Select three-year-old renewal for a healthy €30,000. The bay gelding was one of three lots to smash the €20,000 barrier, and while a further seven realised in excess of €10,000, the sale proved disappointing overall.

Having made up big ground 12 months ago, last week’s edition struggled to maintain the impetus, as buyers were selective in the extreme. Horses that ticked every box sold well, but with prices ranging vastly between €6,500 and €30,000, and with only about half of the 36 lots forward changing hands, many vendors will have been left disheartened and frustrated.

SALE TOPPERS

The renewal has always been a lucky one for Goresbridge regular Anne Marie Murphy, and this year was no exception as her home-bred Ogue Grandato reaped the top return of €30,000. The fifth produce out of Ogue Ali Furist, who is a full-sister to international jumper Alfurist (1.60m), the gelding is a sibling to the useful Ogue Furist Al (169 SJI points) as well as to Ogue Ardkyle and the up and-coming Ogue Eddie O (CCIYH2*).

Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of competition for ownership of this well related performer, but none were as determined as Co Kildare based show jumper Ethan Ahearne, together with his partner Camilla Speirs. The couple had bought from Murphy a few years back and hope that this new purchase will be as lucky for them as Ogue BT Special who, having competed under Camilla to 1.40m level, was exported to America over the summer. The same production process is planned for this new graduate, who Camilla hopes to campaign in the RDS qualifiers next year.

Lot 4, MBF Ivy, was sold to the USA for €29,000 at the Goresbridge Select Sale of three-year-olds. \ Tadhg Ryan Bit Media

NOTABLES

Meabh and Brian Flynn of MBF Sporthorses, who topped the sale last year, did well again when their attractive filly Lislan MBF Ivy was secured by an American ‘cash’ customer for €29,000. A daughter of Chacoon Blue out of Lislan Cherry (by Cinsey), the grey was bred by Co Clare man Darragh Kelly, and sourced from Michael Daly at the start of the year. A real head turner both in the video footage and on the day, she is likely to go eventing.

Frequently listed as in a partnership with the MBF team, but this time flying his own flag, Jason Higgins (Higgins Sport Horses) received €23,000 for his imported gelding Panter W by Hardrock Z.

Co Wexford rider and producer Dale Adams snapped up this good sort, who she will produce together with her daughter Lauren.

Bred in Holland, Panter W was out of the well related Lerinda by Durango.

As has become the norm, there were just three traditionally bred horses forward, the best of which was the Beechfield Stables consigned Ballymurphy Danny, a gelding by the thoroughbred Denouce out of Ballymurphy Sarah by Laughtons Flight.

Bred locally by James Doyle, this one was led out unsold, but having performed well, later looked very well bought at €15,000 by American online buyer Micheline Sterling.

Cavan Performance Sale

TOP RETURNS

Kevin Egan’s Tzar, 10-year-old gelding by Orestus €12,200

Claire Gaffney Moydrum’s Sydney, five-year-old mare by Cool Diamond Star, €12,000.

Alison Irwin’s Molly Mary, five-year-old Tullabeg Fusion (dam by Philip Clover) €11,800.

Continuing a busy week of sales, the action moved to Cavan where a well-supported performance sale delivered some healthy returns. Although both the clearance of 67% and average (€4,986) showed a slight drop from 12 months ago, there was plenty of trade – especially for the older stock.

Results in the four-year-old sector were more variable, while demand was muted in the final session of three-year-olds.

SALE TOPPER

Selling as one of four, five figure returns, the top honours at €12,200 fell to Kevin Egan’s Tzar, a 10-year-old home-bred gelding by Orestus. One of many to have recorded winnings, the straightforward Tzar had a career total of 28 SJI points won in classes up to 1.15m level.

NOTABLES

Demand was at its strongest for versatile horses with competition mileage, and one that really stood out was Claire Gaffney’s Moydrum’s Sydney, a diminutive piebald mare by Cool Diamond Star.

A winner in the show ring, the five-year-old has also hunted with the Glasson Farmers and competed in training shows. Co Louth buyer Eithne O’Hanrahan signed the docket for this useful sort at €12,000, while just one lot earlier the Co Tipperary based GVS Bloodstock paid €11,800 for Alison Irwin’s five-year-old mare Molly Mary by Tullabeg Fusion. Carrying a traditional damline, the Caroline Connors bred mare was out of Any Options by Philip Clover.

British competition horse customer buyer Caron Nicol has been a major force at Irish sales this year, and although quiet by her usual busy standards, was at ringside to secure the top-priced four-year-old at €10,000. This fell to Denis Gallagher’s Liscarrow Jo Jo, a home-bred gelding by Eurocommerce Berlin out of the Holstein mare Deleika (Casall La Silla).

Trade slowed for the final session of three-year-olds with the top return of €6,300 paid by Martin Mellet for a daughter of Sligo Candy Boy (dam by Waldo Van Dungen).

While the pony trade was steady enough, the prices were lower in comparison to recent sales and at the top end, two ponies shared €6,500 apiece.