Closing the curtain on a successful trading year, Cavan hosted a busy three-day mixed sale last week. The opening session of performance stock delivered the best figures by a distance, and while the following two days of young stock and Irish Draught horses were weaker in comparison, they also produced plenty of notable returns.

Performance sale

Delivering a clearance rate of 70% (77% in 2021) together with an average of €5,478n (€6,180), Wednesday’s renewal closed the year solidly. Although the figures were marginally down from 12 months ago, seven lots realised in excess of €10,000, including a sale-topping return of €11,800.

This fell to Bernadette Curry’s McGaw, an eye-catching four-year-old gelding by Scrapman out of Uibh Fhaile Duchess (dam by Ballinrobe Boy). Sourced by the vendor two years ago, and bred by John Bracken, the chestnut had been quietly produced and, having also been introduced to hounds, was one of five lots snapped up by busy Athlone trader Jim Derwin.

Another to turn heads at €11,500 was Keith Wilson’s Maplevalley Royal Blue, a five-year-old mare by Bonmahon Master Blue out of the well-related Royal Bet (Taloubet VDL). Standing just 158cms, the mare is a sibling to the international show jumper Temprance (1.40m) and was knocked down to the telephone bid of British buyer Harriet Doliszny.

Another mare to sell well was Darragh Killoran’s homebred Killahurler See the Sea, a five-year-old by Luidam out of Killahurler Comfort (Ghareeb). The winner of 15 SJI points to date, she was produced by the owner and looked well bought by the UK-based event yard Broadlee Farms.

Inconsistent

The four-year-old trade was a little more inconsistent, but selling well at €10,500 was Louise Doyle’s HSF Markle Royale, a filly by HSF Cardento Royale out of Little Miss Heart Breaker (Boswell Mr Heartbreaker).

Already successful in her age classes and the youngster tours, she was secured by Danish buyer Johan Mortenson.

Buyers were equally discerning in the three-year-olds sector, which was topped by Niall McGarry’s Ballyshan Obolensky at €11,000. UK customer Robert Davidson signed for this smart sort, a son of Glynnwood Cornet out of the well-related Ballyshan Luximportant (Lux Z).

At €10,000, the final five-figure return of the day was paid by a cash buyer for Michael Cannon’s homebred gelding by Sligo Candy Boy, out of Jubilee Porsha (Porsch).

Lot 55, a gelding by Spirit House was sold for €7,400). \ Cavan EC

Young stock

As expected, demand for Thursday’s session of young stock was patchy and this was illustrated by the 50% (58% in 2021) clearance and the average of €3,034 (€3,208 in 2021). Those with the smart pedigrees reaped the rewards and none more so than Ann McCardle’s Brackley’s Calibre, who headed the day’s business at €9,600. This colt by Conthargos out of Brackleys Dior (Chekov PZK by Cornet Obolensky) hails from a stout and improving family, which features the Clem McMahon ridden Grand Prix winning mare Brackley Rose Down among others. Buying on behalf of his Swiss-based owner Regula Wassner, show jumper Kenneth Graham will store this exciting prospect to produce under saddle.

Tuam breeder Patrick Connolly has enjoyed another good season, and closed it well when his CSF Robin, a filly by KMS Rooney (dam by Flipper d’Elle), was knocked down to DJ O’Sullivan (on behalf of Donal Buckley) for €6,800. On the lower end of the scale, over half of those forward realised €3,000 or less.

Irish draught stock

Trade was considerably stronger for the Irish Draught stock ofwhich 69% changed hands at an average of €2,744. These figures were very much in line with those from last year, and emerging on top of them at €7,800 was Michael McDermott’s Calry Flash, a five-year-old mare by Fintan Himself out of Ballyrath Girl (Glenside). A mare with hunting form and a likely broodmare prospect, she looked well bought by producer PJ Watson.

The top prices were all held by the older mares, with Michael Bailey’s filly Fuerty Susy (dam by Welcome Emperor) reaping the best foal return at €4,000, while heading the colt table at €3,500 was Brendan Duffy’s well-related colt by Casnova out of Ballagh Rose (Moylough Bouncer). CL