What next for Irish horse sales?

When I spoke with Stuart Clarke of Cavan Equestrian Centre, Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge and Robert Fagan of Mullingar Equestrian Centre back at the beginning of the year about their horse sales plans, none of us could then have envisioned the Covid-19 lockdown we are suffering through.

Martin now recalls a similar experience back in 2001, “we had the foot and mouth outbreak that brought everything to a halt”.

The only difference, of course was that back then it was an animal disease that we humans were able to manage. Now it is a matter of us humans struggling to cure ourselves through isolation and lockdown.

Meanwhile, some 5,000 new foals have arrived and hundreds of young sport horses that would normally be entered for some 15 sales at the three venues are in limbo.

Cavan coping

For the Clarke family of Cavan Equestrian Centre it is a time of renewal. Stuart notes that their plans include resurfacing the 2,500m2 of their main indoor arena and their warm-up arena as well.

Plans for the outdoor arenas are on hold. All of their shows and sales are currently off, but Stuart is hoping that after 5 May some horses will be allowed in for schooling. They might then be able to move on to one–day shows with no spectators and only 150 pre–entries that would have notified running times.

Mullingar goes online

“We can’t just throw in the towel, we have to stay positive,” says Robert Fagan of Mullingar Equestrian Centre. “Every week we come up with a new plan and then as things change we move on to another plan.”

But at the moment, having lost their May sale and their gala auction during their now postponed June International, all at Mullingar are focusing on an exclusively online sale on 20 June. “Breeders and producers need an outlet and the welfare of horses is at stake. So we are calling for entries into this sale for which videos of lots and bidding will all be online. Interest has been high so far,” he says, with hope in his voice.

Goresbridge keeps an eye on July

With their May sale gone, Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge is “keeping an eye” on July in the hope that matters will have improved by then. He notes that the main problem is with international travel.

“About 80% of our buyers are from abroad and with self-isolation this is really problematic. It really all comes down to what is happening worldwide.”

For now Donohoe is looking at online options, but there is nothing finalised on that as of yet.