Turning over just shy of €2 million in one evening, last week’s glittering edition of the Goresbridge Go For Gold event horse sale and gala dinner exceeded all expectations and broke new ground.

In his first year at the helm, new Goresbridge boss Ed Donohoe raised an already high bar to deliver not only a showcase occasion but one that achieved some truly outstanding returns.

Staged at Barnadown in Co Wexford, and concluding at the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey, Mr Donohoe and his wife Siobhan welcomed some of the most recognisable names in the sport.

At times, demand for the 87 lots appeared insatiable, and at the close of play a remarkable 86% of those on offer changed hands (65% in 2023) leading to a turnover of €1,886,500 (€1,335,000).

Much to the delight of all connections, the average also increased to €25,153 (€23,000 in 2023), the outcome of which prompted Ed Donohoe to comment: “I’m still buzzing! It was a phenomenal sale with a huge clearance.

“We have always said that we would judge the sale by the clearance rather than the high prices, and to raise it from 65% to 86% in the space of 12 months just shows the quality of horses we had selected.

“In this regard, credit is due to our selectors, Nick Gauntlett, Sally Parkyn, Nicky Roncoroni and Chris Ryan, as well as to the vendors who entrusted their best horses to us. The quality was complemented by buyers from all over the world and this was reflected in the trade.”

Looking at the figures, the strongest demand emerged from the four-year-old sector, where the closing average of €32,267 together with a clearance of 88% was unprecedented.

While these heady figures steadied a little with the three-year-olds, their quality was illustrated by a similar 88% clearance and average of €22,839.

Both the Americans and the British were prolific customers, with the former accounting for no less than 17 individual horses overall.

British and home-based buyers were also extremely busy, and among the top event riders to secure lots were Ireland’s Olympian Austin O’Connor, recent Maryland CCI5* winner Oliver Townend, Canadian Olympian Karl Slezak, Italian Olympian Giovanni Ugolotti, as well as British internationals, Sam Ecroyd, Max Warburton and Harry Meade.

Top lot

At a healthy €57,000 sale-topping honours fell to Trade Horses Ltd’s traditionally bred four-year-old by the Irish Sport Horse sire Cruising with Diamonds, out of a point-to point winning mare by Insatiable.

Bred by Michael Murphy, the gelding was one of three lots consigned by the Co Meath-based Diarmuid and Virginia Considine. Having been sourced as a foal, he had been quietly produced through the training ranks.

This four-year-old gelding by Cruising With Diamonds was the sale topper at €57,000.

In a magical piece of pre-sale marketing, he was showcased on video by the vendor’s 12-year-old son Timmy and this undoubtedly boosted his appeal.

As a result, it came as no surprise to see the bids rise rapidly up the scale until the hammer finally dropped to a UK ‘cash’ customer at €57,000.

Older horses

While the Go For Gold sale is better known for its headline-making three-year-olds, the evening always commences with a few five-year-olds with eventing or show jumping form. This year there were nine on offer, and heading them at €41,000 was Tomas Doyle’s versatile Monbeg Winston, a real eyecatcher with placings in the HSI age classes and the recipient of 12 SJI points.

A well-related son of Winston (KWPN), he was bred by Brendan Doyle out of the good broodmare Visage Van’t Paradus (Landetto).

Regular Go For Gold customer and British international event rider Fiona Kashel secured this smart performer, while at €40,000, Daniel O’Sullivan’s KWPN bred Obailey was knocked down to Canadian Olympian Karl Slezak.

Four-year-olds

Sale topper aside, the four-year-old division was on fire from the outset. Adding to what had been an already good start, the slick Monbeg team scored again, when Monbeg Can Do achieved a heady return of €50,000. A son of Sligo Candy Boy out of Diamond Action (Colin Diamond), the Michael McDonagh-bred gelding had won a DAFM Development class and was snapped up by British international rider Max Warburton on behalf of his owner Karla Wheatcroft.

As the evening progressed, the Co Wexford-based Monbeg team of Marti Rudd and Tomas Doyle proceeded to sell every one of their 10-strong draft, with their next best return of €45,000 falling to Monbeg Dunard Blue by Zirocco Blue.

Three-year-olds

Closing with a phenomenal 88% clearance, demand for the three-year-olds was extraordinary. Trade for the age group had been sticky throughout the year, but bucking all trends, and as the figures illustrate, only a handful failed to find homes.

The average of €22,839 showed a hike from €20,093 in 2023 and, while the top price was less than 12 months ago, the figures clustered strongly. Eleven individuals realised over €30,000, with the top return of €46,000 going to H and J Sport Horses Ltd Cantona Kann by Cantona TN.