AS the sales season hots up, the first of the year’s select three-year-old editions is due to take place at Cavan on Wednesday. Featuring a catalogue of 78 pre-selected lots, all of which will showcase during the day, the sale itself will kick off at 4pm. There are a number of very well-related individuals among those on offer, and while show jumping breeding is dominant, there are also many with dual-purpose bloodlines. The following day, the action will focus on a general performance sale, which as usual will offer the full range of ponies and horses of all ages and disciplines.
Due to the easing of travel and attendance restrictions, there is likely to be a notable overseas attendance, but of course both sales in their entirety will also be conducted online.
Elite three-year-olds
Lot 1, CBI Joker, reg 3yo ch g 168cms by Casall out of Golden Exchange (Cruising). One of two (also Lot 34) progeny born in 2018 to Golden Exchange (1.60m), this exceptionally well-bred individual hails from one of Ireland’s most prolific show jumping families. When ridden by Greg Broderick, the dam was a dual winner of the Irish Grand Prix at Balmoral (2013 and 2015) and in her younger days won the six-year-old championships at the RDS. A big winner throughout her career, she has a pedigree to back up her performance. She is a full-sister to the Nations Cup horse Cruise on Clover (1.60m), as well as to Atomic Mouse (1.50m) and to Cruise Leaf, dam of Ballypatrick Flamenco (1.60m) and several others.
Lot 12 Unnamed, 3yo ch g by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve out of Drumhowan Pippa (Vechta). This gelding features an attractive dual-purpose pedigree. He is a half-brother to the British-based jumper Pippa Accord (1.35m) and to Emoe Alice (1.25m) who was double clear in the four-year-olds at the RDS at the last time of running. Also to the promising five-year-old Emoe Pixie ridden by Ita McDermott. Adding eventing depth, the dam is a sibling to the CCI4* event horse Drumhowan Black Magic (Fiona Kashal).
Lot 16 Caraghs High Queen, reg 3yo b f 168cms by Adieu Z out of Caragh Roller (High Roller). The first of the standout fillies, this individual was placed second in her loose performance qualifier for the RDS. Well-related, she is a half-sister to the American-based event horse Shadow Inspector (CCI3*-S), while the dam is a sister to the four-star campaigner Ballingowan Zeal (CCI4*-S) and several other jumpers and eventers.
Lot 17 Lagans Cornet Lad, reg 3yo b g 165cms by Cornet Obolensky out of Lagans Pacino Girl (Pacino). The winner of his RDS potential event horse qualifier in Ennis, this high-class gelding combines the best of Irish and continental bloodlines. Cruising features as the sire of the second dam, while the dam is a half-sister to the event horses Oxmountain Cruz (CCI4*) and Oxmountain Flyer (CCI3*). She is also a sibling to Oxmountain Flame, dam of Premier Titanium (1.40m).
Lot 21 Unnamed, reg 3yo b g 168cms by Comme il Faut out of Jewel van’t Heike (Nabab De Reve). Hailing from a strong continental dam’s line, the first dam is a half- or full to sibling several horses competing 1.60m level, including Apiola Van’t de Heike, Valentina Van’t de Heike and Dancer Van’t de Heike. There are a further number competing at 1.50m.
Lot 31 Unnamed, 3yo b g 168cms by Capri van Overis Z out of Clarkes Shadow Jumper (Creevagh Ferro). Another RDS potential event horse finalist, and the winner of his qualifier, this gelding is out of a lightly jumped mare and with pedigree featuring the influential VDL Douglas.
Lot 32 unnamed, reg 3yo b f 163cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Imperial Dynasty (Master Imp). One of several lots by the popular Sligo Candy Boy, this filly carries versatile breeding. She is a half-sister the event horse MGH Banky Moon (CCI2*), as well as the jumpers Lady Imperial (1.30m), WEC Imperial Master (1.35m) and RBS Miss Imperial (1.20m). Going back a generation, the dam is a half-sister to Windgates Paragon (1.50m), Luxella (1.40m), Fanny Farkles (1.40m) and Prozac (1.40m). Another is Blidworth Lion Queen dam of the Lanaken world champion Arrabeg Clover.
Lot 38 Kilcandra Finta Elsa, reg 3yo b f 165cms by OBOS Quality out of Fintra Ellie (Shannondale Sarco). Hailing from a dual-purpose pedigree, this filly is the second progeny out of Finta Ellie, who is a full sister to the American-based event horse Charlie Tango (CCI 3*) as well as to the CCI* runners Shannondale Tapoki and Fernhill Shannondale.
Lot 46 Toberdame Bournville, reg 3yo b g 168cms by Sligo Candy Boy out of Lux A Gonner (Lux Z). The winner of his RDS potential event horse qualifier at Tubberbride, this gelding is a full brother to Candy Rose, who both topped this sale and won the loose performance class in the RDS. Also, to the six-year-old Fortside Candy Crush (1.25m) and Lux Like a Cruser.
Lot 59 Coco Douglas, reg 3yo b f 168cms by Ard VDL Douglas out of Leahnoir de la Vie (Pacino). This home-bred filly has already qualified and is entered for the three-year-old potential event horse class at the RDS. Well-related, the dam is a half-sister to the recent Balmoral Grand Prix winner ESI Star Struck (1.50m), while the maternal pedigree also features Aralou (1.50m), Citeaux (1.60m) and Impulse de la Vie (1.40m).
Lot 65 Unnamed, reg 3yo ch g 170cms by OBOS Quality out of KEC Queens Corrie (Corghano). A tall gelding with a stout dam line, this individual is out of a half-sister to the Cian O’Connor-ridden KEC Alligator Alley (1.60m) and to no less than a further seven graded horses. The second dam, Omard Queenie, is by Clover Hill and from the family of the five-star event horse OBOS O’Reilly.
Thursday Performance Sales
Older stock
Lot 137 Ballylurgan Ferro, reg 8yo sk m 165cms by Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe out of Ballylurgan Joy (Cavalier Two For Joy). For coloured horse enthusiasts, this experienced mare could be a tempting proposition. Fully proven, she was placed reserve champion at the RDS in 2018, and has competed under SJI rules. She has also competed in preliminary dressage classes and one-day events.
Lot 140 Precious Lady, reg 10yo b m 168cms by Hannibal V Overis Z out of Kilfearagh Breeze (Coevers Diamond Boy).The winner of five SJI points, Precious Lady has competed up to and including 1.20m level. Described as being an easy, balanced ride and having a good technique, she is thought ideal for a junior, young rider or competitive amateur.
Lot 143 Shanroe Junior, reg 7yo gr m 164cms by Quidam Junior out of Shanroe Sublime (Jupiter Du Thot). This experienced, easy mare has clocked up 94 SJI points, won in classes up to 1.25m. Thought to have the potential to go much further, and placed in the age classes, she is described as an exceptional mare for young rider’s classes.
Lot 156 Erne Blazeaway, reg 6yo b m 168cms by Air Jordan Z out of Erne Blaze (Aldato). The third foal out of the good Grade A jumping mare Erne Blaze (Francis Connors), this mare is currently competing to 1.20m level. Very well-related and an attractive broodmare prospect, she is a half-sister to Erne Mountain Dew (1.40m), while the dam is a sibling to Erne Touch (1.50m) who has bred Erne Lady Goldilocks (1.50m) and several other top performers.
Lot 163 Niosfar, reg 6yo b g 168cms by Lancelot out of Canisfar (Salluceva). Thought suitable for either of the two main disciplines, this gelding is out of a thoroughbred dam. A competitive performer, he is the winner of 33 SJI points to date, and has been schooled around event cross-country courses.
Three and four-year-olds
Lot 191 Kilrodan Spitfire, reg 4yo ch f 160cms by Boherdeal Clover out of Kilrodan Boathouse (Cruising). Carrying a traditionally Irish performance pedigree, this filly is a full sister to the dual Eventing Derby winner and CCI4* event horse Kilrodan Sailorette (also a chesnut mare).
Lot 199 Amazing Dancer, reg 4 yo gr g 158cms by Yeats out of Friends Gift (Be My Native). This small gelding, who could could suit a competitive young rider, has competed very well in his age classes this season and is the winner of nine SJI points to date.
Lot 252 Premier Truffle, reg 3yo ro g 168cms by Chippendale out of Cavalier KD (Cavalier Royale). This youngster is a half-brother to the international jumper and Millstreet Speed Derby winner Premier Sport (1.40m). Other siblings include the Grade A jumper Premier KD Clover (1.25m) and several further graded horses including two further Grade A performers.
Lot 253 Coolmannon Dash, reg 3yo br f 160cms by Vittorio out of Coolmannon Porsch (Porsch). Featuring the old bloodlines of both Flagmount Diamond and Campaigner, this filly is a half-sister to the dual Lanaken representative and former HSI seven-year-old league winner Renolli (1.50m). Also a half-sister to Urban Cowboy (1.40m) and SGS Pride of the Hill who was placed in the six-year-old HSI class at Balmoral last month. Another sibling is Firenze, who this year has qualified for four-year-old finals at the RDS.