Matthew McBreen is top vendor at Cavan foal sales for a second year running

Although not quite emulating last year’s record-breaking returns, last week’s renewal of the Elite Foals at Cavan was a highly satisfactory affair. Staged during the jumping show in front of a packed house, the sale offered 25 of the 26 foals catalogued.

It delivered a top price €15,500, accompanied by a healthy clearance of 84% (76% in 2017). A reduction in five-figure returns led to a dip in the average, but on balance the market was steadier than last year and stronger in the middle sector. For the same reason, the turnover also slipped to €157,100 (€173,100).

Sale topper

It was a case of déjà vu for consigner Matthew McBreen, who was amazed to find himself as the sale toping vendor for the second year in succession. Having made a staggering €28,000 12 months ago with his Casall-sired foal, McBreen had resigned himself to a lesser return this year.

As things turned out however, his colt foal by Tangelo Van de Zuuthoeve (out of Jumeirah by Ard VDL Douglas) opened strongly at €8,000 before finally changing hands at €15,500. “I’m in shock,” he told The Irish Horse. “I really didn’t expect that kind of money – although I have to say I’ve never bred anything like him before. I wish the new owners all the best of luck with him and hope they have lots of success.”

McBreen sourced the dam from Mervyn Clark junior several years ago. She had been a promising jumper, before retiring to stud due to an injury. This is the fourth progeny she has produced for her owner.

Still a young family, the dam Jumeirah has already bred the smart Thomascourt Atlantis (Corland), who was ridden here in Ireland by Danielle Clarke before being exported to England. Now partnered by Alex Bishop, he has qualified to jump at HOYS next month, while another offspring is the five-year-old Thomascourt Emirates who is currently impressing with Mervyn Clarke.

Signing the docket was Olive Clarke, in a syndicate with her partner, David Scally, and Norman Allen. “I liked the type, and the blood,” she commented. “I also knew the dam, who was very good before she was injured. There is a good one out of her in England and Mervyn (Clarke) really rates his five-year-old.”

McBreen disclosed that the dam is not in foal this year, but he may still hold a trump card as he has an embryo out of last year’s sale-topping dam Pikachu.

Notables

Olive Clarke paid €12,200 for Gabriel Slattery’s filly foal by Diamant du Semilly, out of the good speed and grand prix show jumping mare Castlelawn Kannan (Kannan). This time Clarke was acting for Ohio-based American clients, and explained: “They were looking for a nice filly foal, and I knew the dam’s line and had ridden the grandam, who was a super careful mare.”

As the breeder, not only of this foal but the entire family, Co Mayo-based Slattery was undeniably pleased with the outcome. He said: “I originally bought the third dam from Michael Blake.

“We jumped her to 1.40m and then put her in foal to Captain Clover, and that’s how it began. We chose Diamant de Semilly as the covering sire, as he’s big and scopey, whereas she’s (Castlelawn Kannan) ultra-careful – all she needed was an injection of scope,” he added.

The remaining five figure return of €12,000 fell to Thomas Taite’s colt by the Heartbreaker sire Romanov, out of Wendoliene (Darco) and out of a full sister to the French-based Qwintus (1.45m) dam of the former Alexander Butler-ridden RDS four-year-old champion BP Castlefield (1.45m). He was sold to Wrenwood Stable’s owner Dan Walsh.

Also selling well at €9,500 was Joanne Attley’s filly by I’m Special de Muze. She was the first registered foal out of Toscana (1.40m), who was a half sibling and grand prix mare Mise La Meas (1.60m).

Of the remaining stand-outs, two foals by the popular Cornet Obolensky sold well for €8,000 and €7,500 and were among the bulk of the lots who realised between €4,000 and €9,500 apiece, while the lowest return was €4,000.

Top lots