AS expected last Friday’s youngstock renewal at Cavan was a far lower key affair than the preceding performance sale, but the day did produce a few notable returns.

Attracting a sizeable crowd of pinhookers, producers and onlookers, the dispersal delivered a top price of €4,700 together with another creditable return at €4,500. A further four lots realised between €3,000 - €3,500, but these aside, the demand was tentative and the resulting clearance closed at 41% (45% in 2016).

While trade was at its busiest around the €2,000 mark, buyers were extremely selective. Some vendors took the plunge and sold when they could, while others decided to wait for another day. It also became evident that many of those who bravely put their stock on the market at less than cost price were ultimately rewarded, but a number will unquestionably have taken a hit.

One who did garner a lively exchange was Clement Stapleton’s filly foal (369) by the former Drumhowan Stud resident Glynnwood Cornet (by Cornet Obolensky). Knocked down for the day’s best price of €4,700, the well-related filly is out of the imported mare Hortensia de Litrange (Quel Hero de Muze), and is a sibling to European Cruise (1.30m), ridden by James Hogg and the German-based five-year-old Silvermines Cruising (1.20m) who is now with Bertram Allen.

Nenagh-based Stapleton was a prominent vendor at the Elite Foal sale back in September, and while this return was a distance from the €22,000 he received then, he was happy enough with the price. “I saw the sire Glynnwood Cornet as a foal, and he has a wonderful dam line,” he explained. “My mare is putting smart jumpers on the ground, and I wish Declan the very best of luck with her.”

Having secured the filly, successful buyer Declan McGarry commented: “I thought she was a great model, with a great dam line.” He added: “Value wise, she was ok, and now I have her home I’m really happy with her. The idea will be to store and produce her on to jump.”

The only other lot to exceed the €4,000 barrier – at €4,500 – was Reece St John’s colt Cornascriebe Emerald (350) by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Cornascriebe Vella (Ballinvella). Like the sale-topper, he was one of 34 foals entered in the special Winter Foal Collection, and in fact had also been selected for the Elite sale back in September. Bred by Carol Armstrong and sourced just four weeks ago, the colt hails from a dam line full of jumping winners.

“I think the stallion is one of the most commercial ones around,” said the Tipperary vendor. “I also think we have the best breeders in the world, and we need to appreciate that.” This colt should now have every chance of success, as it was Co Kilkenny’s Seamus Drea, an uncle of leading young rider Jack Ryan, who signed the docket. “He’s a grand foal with a good pedigree,” remarked Drea.

WELL BOUGHT

The stallion Luidam has been responsible for a number of high-profile auction sales throughout the year, so Enda Mulkere’s home-bred colt (371) out of Folly Fortuna (Heritage Fortunas) also looked well bought at €3,500. From the dam line of Royal Show (Cruising), and featuring Craven A and King of Diamonds, he was secured by Co Antrim producer Trevor McConnell.

Realising the same figure late in the session was Dennis Gallagher’s colt (411) by Good Luck VDL out of the jumping mare Miss Imp Boro (Master Imp). Carrying a dual-purpose pedigree, the dam jumped to 1.10m, while her sibling is the British-based intermediate event horse Golden Master. Co Meath’s Trade Horses accounted for this one, who will be stored before selling on as a three-year-old.

Sale-topping buyer Declan McGarry made sure he had two foals to take home to Co Sligo, so earlier in the day he secured Sean Brennan’s filly (359) by Tyson at €3,000. One of two to change hands at this figure, the filly was out of the well-related Cavalier Krystle (Cavalier Royale) and a half-sister to the useful Cruise Affair (1.20m) ridden by Michael Burton. Other siblings include the stallion Berkley Cruise, as well as the promising intermediate event horse Sweeps Crystal Cruise ridden by British international Oliver Townend. Roscommon-based Brennan opted to take his chance and put his filly on the market at €2,600, a decision that was rewarded. “The price I got was the one I had in mind,” he remarked.

Padraig Howley’s stallion Sligo Candy Boy had made a big impact on the three-year-old figures over the previous two days, so it was unsurprising to see a daughter (361) selling for the good return of €3,000. Consigned by Co Clare breeders John and James Meade, the well-presented filly hails from the smart dam line of Lux Lady (1.50m) ridden by top American rider Rich Fellars and Red Wharf Clover Light (1.50m). The father and son duo had sold an earlier lot by Radolin for €2,200 and this one looked well bought by Clones man Seamus Cadden.

At the opposite end of the scale there was little joy for breeders, and summing up, 17 lots made €1,000 or less. Breeding was varied among these lower returns, while the presentation in many cases was poor.