IF this testing year has made us aware of anything at all, it is the strength and influence of online selling.
The rapidly growing medium has proved a particularly significant tool for sport horse auctions which, like so many businesses, closed their doors in March, and did not resume for four months.
By working together and with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, all three auction houses of Cavan, Goresbridge and Mullingar not only rearranged their calendars, but had the foresight to set up online bidding facilities accompanied by extensive video galleries. While this was obviously the only way forward, few would have predicted the extent of its success.
Despite the easing of restrictions, which allowed limited buyers on site from July through to October (and again in December), online customers gained increasing confidence in the concept and maintained this momentum right through until the final sales in December. As a result, and contrasting with the mixed fortunes in the bloodstock industry, the sport horse auction houses closed a fractured year by each reporting an appreciable upturn in trade.
Contributing significantly to this growth were those vendors who, from the get go, made every use of their marketing skills and the slicker and more comprehensive the better. Having been locked down since March, the professional producers were ahead of the pack in in terms of proficiency, and by making good quality videos and utilising social media, they had enjoyed a very lively private spring and summer trade.
This followed through to the auctions in the autumn, and while some of the smaller breeders and private sellers had been a little slower off the mark, they too were reaping the advantages by the season’s end.
Overall, the statistics illustrate that, 79 individual stallions sired the 124 horses listed in the tables. As they did 12 months ago, the leading sires Ramiro B and Sligo Candy Boy topped their respective sectors, with the first named heading the monetary returns.
His four, three-year-old progeny realised €139,000 at an average of €34,750, while Padraig Howley’s Sligo Candy Boy shone again to have nine of his offspring listed in the three-year-old and the foal sectors, delivering an improved average of €13,255. In the thoroughbred ranks, Emperor Augustus (6) and Pointilliste (5) both proved popular numerically, with the latter takings the honours for the higher returns.
Analysing the end of year tables, it appears that the returns from the three sectors (thoroughbred sires, continental sires and Irish sport horses) broadly illustrated a similar top and bottom end price range to those of 12 months ago. While this would initially imply little change in the general market, the significant factor is how the returns have clustered more solidly and especially in certain sectors.
Summing up, the sales year concluded strongly, with almost every individual renewal illustrating growth from 12 months ago. Reports from the country revealed that the clearance rates had notably improved, enhanced by a solid middle market. Boosting confidence further, the returns appeared more balanced, and without any significant outliers, produced notably improved averages.
Looking forward, it remains to be seen how much Brexit will affect the sector, but whatever the scenario, the industry has emerged out of 2020 with a broader education in selling and will be stronger to face any difficulties ahead.
Older horses
Although delivering a solid trade throughout the year, the prices for the older horses steadied. Between the specialist sales and in the country, just 12 individuals realised five-figure returns although the prices did however cluster well.
The year’s top price of €29,000 fell to Co Wexford producer Maurice Cousins whose six-year-old gelding Platinum, by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet, achieved a return of €29,000. Well produced by Aoife Dooley, in whose hands he had picked up 46 SJI points, the gelding was bred by Cousins’ brother Nicky, and is out of Tullabeg Hero by that good thoroughbred event horse sire Cult Hero. Sold through the Go For Gold sale in December, the gelding was knocked down to the online bid of German customer Michael Sperl.
Making just €1,000 less and yet another to change hands remotely, Elizabeth Ahern and Felicity Ward’s America-bound EPA Wildfire headed the thoroughbred-sired figures at €28,000. Bred by Donal Drinan, the gelding by Carlo Bank boasted over 85% thoroughbred blood, and is out of the Kahtan-sired Clongeel Lady.
The figures emerging from the ISH division were in contrast modest. Nevertheless, there were several notable returns, among which was the €12,100 paid for Gabriel Slattery’s seven-year-old gelding by Boswell Mr Heartbreaker. Knocked down to Jim Derwin at Mullingar in September, the gelding had a wealth of hunting mileage, having followed the Co Clare, Galway Blazers and North Galway hounds. He was bred by Jackie Lee, out of Courage Cruise (by Courage), and it was later disclosed that he will continue his hunting career in America.
In the country, demand for the older stock was consistently strong throughout, and the prices reflected that. Online bidders increasingly tussled with those on site, and indeed at €13,800, the year’s top figure in the country fell to German online bidder Michael Sperl. The lucky recipient was Co Clare vendor Stephen Culliney, whose home-bred Killeenhousestud Rolling Doc, by Indoctro out of Mistify Lady (High Roller), topped the opening three days at Goresbridge in September. A well-related, full-brother to the British-based intermediate event horse Indigo Mist, the five-year-old gelding had little competitive mileage but was well produced by Diarmuid Killeen.
Four-year-olds
Illustrating a notable upturn, the four-year-old market was strong throughout. Heading the figures, and indeed realising the national auction top priced lot of the year, Alice Martin Jones and Jason Higgins consigned Jackie, a filly by the former Lissava House resident Jack of Diamonds. Bred by Dr Noel Cawley and sourced by her vendors at Goresbridge in September 2019, the grey filly was the obvious stand out and was beautifully produced in all three phases. Well-related, she is out of Cappercullen (Cruising) and a half-sister to the highly rated French-ridden jumper Bill Clinton. Changing hands at the Go For Gold sale, she was knocked down to Co Wexford equine dentist John Ellard on behalf of an undisclosed British client.
Demand remained solid in the country, with several five-figure returns. The best of these went to veteran Co Sligo breeder Ivan Gardiner, whose home-bred four-year-old by Mohill Cavalier Clover realised €15,700 at Goresbridge in December. The dam, who was also home-bred, is an Irish Draught mare by Creevagh Grey Rebel and the mother of the promising jumper Doonaveeragh Balou (Cathal McMunn). Another to be secured online, this smart sort travelled to the Surrey home of determined bidder and amateur rider Tracy Brown.
Three-year-olds
The growing significance of thoroughbred blood was notable in most sectors, but especially among the three-year-olds. Those by continental sires out of thoroughbred dams were particularly coveted, and one such example was Michael O’Callaghan’s Robinia, a gelding by Ramiro B out of the thoroughbred mare Raetihi by Wizard King. The British-bred gelding was the subject of much admiration at the Go For Gold sale, where he was knocked down to British international rider Sam Ecroyd for the year’s best price of €47,000. Another similarly bred gelding was Meabh Bolger and Brian Flynn’s America-bound MBF Gambler who, selling at the same venue for €42,000, was once again by Ramiro B out of the thoroughbred dam Monalease (Terimon).
Top priced three-year-old of 2020 was Lot 40 sold at the 2020 Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale, Michael O'Callaghan's Robinia (by Ramiro B), fetching €47,000 \Goresbridge Horse Sales
While the late Ramiro B had a big influence on the figures, so did Sligo Candy Boy whose progeny dominated a highly successful Cavan Elite sale in August. Delivering a much-improved set of returns, the Cavan renewal delivered 13 five-figure prices which were headed by Gordon Hogan’s Belgian-bred gelding by the Jos Lansink-campaigned Aganix du Seigneur out of Alina (Heartbreaker). Sourced from Zangershiede as a foal, and realising a healthy €38,000, the well related gelding is a half-brother to two decent 1.45m jumpers. The same venue saw Seamus Cawley’s Haslemere Prince, a gelding by Sligo Candy Boy out of Haslemere Sabina (High Roller), top the ISH-sired returns at €27,500.
Lot 63, Gordon Hogan's three-year-old gelding by Aganix du Seigneur topped the Cavan Elite three-year-old sale when sold for €38,000 to USA-based Celtic Park \ Cavan Equestrian
Out in the country it was the same story, with auction houses reporting some of the best three-year-old returns for many years. Five-figure prices appeared in multiples, and heading them at Goresbridge in September was the €16,000 sale of the Power family’s home-bred Cillbhrid Calvin. Attractively bred, he was by Comilfo Plus Z and the second foal out of the good mare Cillbhrid April (Lux Z), a former finalist in the Mo Chroi four-year-old championship at the RDS. From a good family, the second dam was a three-part sister to the 1.60m show jumper Baskin T Bear and a half-sister to the British-based Cillbhrid Luminous (1.45m). Kerry Taggart is thought likely to have the ride on this good sort, bought by Co Armagh show jumping owner Fergal Rice.
As they did last year, the thoroughbred sires Pointilliste and Emperor Augustus dominated their table, with the former siring the best priced lot at €26,000. This fell to Jason Higgins and Mary Bolger’s gelding, who bred by Michael Byrne in Co Wicklow, is out of Alda Puissance (Puissance) and was secured by the UK-based Katie Painter.
Foals
Foal sales were well supported, with improved clearances and prices broadly mirroring those of last year. The pre-selected sales at Cavan and the Goresbridge Supreme fixture at Barnadown, both garnered some rewarding results as did the Mayo and Roscommon foal renewal which, now in its third year, has really stamped its presence in the market.
As always there was a big divide between the top drawer show jumping foals and the remainder, but foal prices are, overall, slowly making headway. The first cross of continental blood widely appealed, while the prices for those bred entirely on traditional lines also improved.
The specialist sales were headed by Joe Allen’s filly by Casall Ask, who at the Goresbridge Breeders’ Classic fixture in September, realised €18,000. Tim MacDonagh signed for this eye-catcher, who is out of the Lux Z-sired Gypsy Lux Valiere.
Joe Allen's Casall Ask filly who topped the 2020 Goresbridge Supreme sale of show jumping foals at the Irish Breeders' Classic at Barnadown when bought by Tim MacDonagh for €18,000 \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net
A few weeks later, breeder Matthew McBreen topped a very strong sale at Cavan, when his filly by Big Star out of Jumeirah (Ard VDL Douglas) changed hands for €17,500. Professionally marketed prior to sale, she was a sibling to two noted performers as well as to Cavan’s 2018 sale-topper (€15,500).
Trevor Gaffney of the American-based Freestyling Farms, signed for this smart filly, although it is thought that she will remain in Ireland for the time being.
There were plenty of plaudits for the third edition of the Mayo and Roscommon Breeders sale which was staged at a new venue at Glenamaddy in October. The well marketed renewal sold 26% of the catalogue online, and produced a top return of €10,000, together with much improved average of 68%.
Largely thanks to Sligo Candy Boy, the ISH table shows an upturn. Featuring no less than five progeny in the top 10, he dominated the tables and heading them with at €12,500 with a foal sold at Cavan on October. In contrast, the figures in the thoroughbred ranks are sluggish. Island Commander tops the sire list for the first time at €4,500, supported by Elusive Emir, Pointilliste, Watermill Swatch, Golden Master and Financial Reward.
Ponies
Another stand out in the year was the pony trade, with heady prices achieved at all the auction centres, as well as at the Connemara dispersals in Clifden. Gina Prescott’s jumping bred three-year-old filly (said to be by Tyson) was the overall sale-topper, when at €11,000, she headed the Goresbridge trade in December.
2020 sale-toppers
Top priced older horse
Maurice Cousins’s Tullabeg Platinum, six-year-old gelding by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (dam by Cult Hero) €29,000.
Top priced four-year-old
Alice Martin Jones and Jason Higgins’s Jackie, four-year-old filly by Jack of Diamonds (dam by Cruising) €50,000.
Top priced three-year-old
Michael O’Callaghan’s Robinia, three-year-old gelding by Ramiro B (dam by Wizard King) €47,000.
Top priced traditional bred
Elizabeth Ahern’s and Felicity Ward’s EPA Wildfire, five-year-old gelding by Carlo Bank (dam by Khatan) €28,000.
Top priced foal
Joe Allen’s filly foal by Casall Ask (dam byLux Z) €18,000.
Top priced mare/filly
Alice Martin Jones and Jason Higgins’s Jackie, four-year-old filly by Jack of Diamonds (dam by Cruising) €50,000.
Note: The information and tables here are compiled using the data from the 2020 Irish sport horse sales advertised and reported on, with verified sales results supplied, in The Irish Field. Several online sales, including Monart, are not included on this basis.