Remarkable turnover and high clearance rate at Goresbridge

Much to the delight of the entire industry, last week’s July renewal at Goresbridge delivered some of the best returns in recent years. Despite a reduced catalogue, the overall figures illustrated a hike across the board, while the two-day turnover rocketed to €820,500 (€599,900 in 2019).

Much of the success was due to the high-quality and the presentation of the horses on offer which led to an 82% (79% in 2019) clearance combined with an average of €5,363 (€4,000). Reflecting on these figures an upbeat Martin Donohoe stated: “It was the best two days trading we have ever had.”

The sale ran in line with COVID-19 restrictions, so although currently there is no online bidding facility, it came as no surprise to see a large number of lots secured by phone bidders.

Sale topper

The sale topper hailed from the older horse sector, and was Dawndento, a nine-year-old show jumper consigned by Mark Sherry. Bred by Imelda Creighton, as was his dam, Dawndento was by Cardento out the useful jumping mare Touch of Dawn by Touchdown. The winner of 11 Showjumping Ireland (SJI) points, he had been lightly campaigned and was secured by phone for €12,500 by Co Waterford show jumper Paddy O’Donnell. It was later revealed that O’Donnell was acting on behalf of a client, who is a young Irish rider.

Monday’s trade of older horses was strong throughout, and resulted in an 87% clearance at an average of €5,300. Several lots realised around the €9,500 mark, the best of which at €9,600 went to Joan Gelletlie’s Waldo Ability. This useful all-rounder had competed in the lightweight hunter class at the RDS and in a twist of fate was eventually knocked down to his breeder Sandra Stanley. It was later disclosed Stanley had spotted the eight-year-old son of Waldo Van Dungen online, and looking for a horse for herself, decided to buy him back.

Athlone’s Jim Derwin was among the busiest customers, accounting for nine lots during day one. Prominent among his purchases was Carolan McLaughlin’s Oriana, a mare by Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve out of Morgan’s Dun Lady (Donauwind Two). Derwin parted with €9,100 for this one, as well as €9,000 for Killian Dunne’s gelding by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Harney’s Lady (Ricardo Z).

Among the remaining notables was John Foley’s six-year-old gelding by Financial Reward out of Currans Baroness (Van Danzig) who went to event rider Fred Scala for €9,000 and Leslie Goudie’s five-year-old Carrickadawson Quality who at €8,800 was knocked down to the phone bid of German customer Michael Sperl. Travelling from Co Limerick, DJ O’Sullivan’s six-year-old gelding by Russel (dam by Clover Echo) also sold well at €8,500, as did Frank Casey’s gelding by Watermill Swatch (dam by Silvano) at €8,200.

The stars of the show were the four-year-olds, and as a result, 87% changed hands at the day’s highest average of €5,795.

British interest

Heading the age group at €9,600 was Johnny Widger’s gelding by Metropole out of a thoroughbred mare by Deploy. British rider Oliver Townend signed for this one, while a few lots later, Conor Dunphy secured Mary Kehoe and Jason Higgins’ gelding by KMS Chicago out of Limmerick’s Girl (Limmerick) for €9,500.

Regular buyers Graham and Holly Smith were also active, snapping up the Skelton family’s Major (unknown breeding) for €9,500, as well as George Campbell’s homebred gelding by Pollux de Muze out of Miss Lola C (Touchdown) who was the top priced three-year-old at €9,200. The latter, is well-related being a half brother to the British-based jumper My Premier Touch (1.40) and to the former RDS winning young event horse event horse Emerald Emoe.

The remaining three-year-olds also fared well, and while their clearance slipped to 66%, the average remained positive at €5,441.

Fillies realised good returns, the best of which was Pat Doody’s homebred Piltown Dilema €9,100. This smart filly was by OBOS Quality out of Piltown Marita (Lux Z).

Just 13 ponies came under the hammer to produce a 92% clearance together with an average of €3,900. Unusually it was an unbroken, three-year-old 147cms pony who topped the figures, when selling for a heady €6,800. Mike Comerford consigned this athletic performer, who is by his own sire Metropole (dam by Romabo).

• Mark Sherry’s Dawndento, nine-year-old gelding by Cardento (dam by Touchdown) €12,500.

• Joan Gelletlie’sWaldo Ability, eight-year-old gelding by Waldo Van Dungen (dam by Able Albert) €9,600.

• Johnny Widger’s Metro, four-year-old gelding by Metropole (dam by Deploy) €9,600.

• Mary Kehoe and Jason Higgin’s unnamed, four-year-old gelding by KMS Chicago (dam by Limmerick) €9,500.

• A.Skelton’s Major, four-year-old gelding (breeding unrecorded) €9,500.