AN overdue cluster of good prices lifted the final trade at Goresbridge last Saturday, and boosted what had been a trying three days. Battered by Storm Callum, and doing little to ease breeders’ concerns, the overall trade was sombre, and led to a disappointing clearance of 39% (46% in 2017) albeit with a marginally improved average of €2,357 (€2,295).
Due to the weather conditions, there were more than the usual withdrawals and at the close of play, the renewal delivered a top price of €16,000 and in terms of the better lots, a further 10 foals made in excess of €5,000 (15 in 2017).
While these figures are not alarmingly lower that 12 months ago, it is worrying, especially in light of the fact that on paper, the catalogue had appeared significantly stronger.
The majority of breeders had followed the more expensive show jumping stallion route, but this proved not to be the holy grail, and too many foals were out of mares with insufficient pedigrees. Hampered by higher production costs, many of these breeders opted not to sell and it questions whether they have become too reliant on the paperwork at the expense of assessing the suitability of their mares. Adding weight to this, many astute pinhookers and customers failed to fill their order books, with most citing poor conformation and an unattractive blend of genetics.
Although the traditionally bred foals fared poorly, those by the thoroughbred sires just held their own. Driven largely by the Slyguff Stud residents, two colts by Pointilliste realised €3,200 and €3,100 apiece, while another by Golden Master made €2,500.
Looking back over the three days, Goresbridge’s Martin Donohoe commented: “I’m obviously disappointed and with a low clearance I couldn’t be satisfied. There were plenty of foals that made good prices, but overall, it was disheartening for ourselves, the vendors and the buyers.”
SALE-TOPPER
Although not achieving their heady return of 2017, the sale-topper once again hailed from the Broderick family’s GBBS consignment. Featuring as part of the select section, this year’s GBBS offering was a smart colt foal by Emerald and from the immediate family of the Bertram Allen-ridden show jumping stallion Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve. He is also a half-brother to the Halifax-sired filly that realised €17,000 at the venue 12 months ago, and featuring a top pedigree on both sides of the family, the well-related colt was out of Meriebel Van D’Abdijhoeve (Casper) who was competed by the vendor.
Once on the market, the bidding developed into a spirited duel between two telephone buyers, until at €16,000, the hammer fell in favour of Martin Donohoe on behalf of Canadian buyer and breeder Ellicia Edgar. A native of Alberta and with her own breeding programme in place at Valleyfield Farm, rider/breeder Edgar is a staunch supporter of top-drawer Irish foals.
A notable stallion owner, she secured the half-sister at the same venue last year, and also bought a Luidam filly foal at the Goresbridge/Breeders Classic special sale in September. “She’s been delighted with last year’s foal, so when she knew the Emerald was coming to the sale, she decided to try to buy him,” explained Cheryl Broderick. “The foals are usually stored in Ireland – generally until their three-year-old year.”
SATURDAY
While the usually buoyant Saturday trade lacked its traditional buzz, one that did impress was CSF Casco (382), a well-related colt from the CSF consignment by Carrera VDL out of Norrira by Cavalier Royale. Carrying a contemporary pedigree, and a half-brother to the recent Lanaken silver medallist CSF Sir George, he was sold at €8,500 to the telephone bid of Sweden’s Annika Gustafsson.
“Annika was the underbidder on a colt of ours a few years ago, and has kept in touch,” remarked Patrick Connolly. Hailing from a stout family, other siblings include CSF Mr Kroon (1.45m), Sera Vue (1.45m) and CSF Royal Cruz (1.45m). “We started using Carrera a few years ago,” Connolly added. “He breeds nice athletic stock, and this mare is back in foal to him again.”
Another successful foal from the Tuam-based consignment was the filly CSF Layla (357) by Levisto Z. The dam, Bianca VD Rampaarden (by Darco), has been a good servant to the Connollys and well related, is a full-sister to the top mare Valiska Van De Rampaarden (1.60m) as well as a half-sibling to Renzerin (1.60m). Pinhooker, and producer Brendan Doyle was on hand to secure this one, who looked well bought at €5,700.
Co Down show jumping owner Brian McConville was a significant presence throughout, and opening the day in good style, he secured Francis Tubman’s filly (266) for €7,800. An independent foal by Luidam out of Derena Elegant Lady (Pacino) and from the family of Carnival Henry (1.50m), she will be stored before producing under saddle. Showing a liking for the sire, McConville was also at ringside to pay €6,100 for Oliver Callery’s well-bred bay colt (274) by Luidam out of Clearwater Bay.
Another to carry a stout pedigree, and featuring Master Imp as the dam sire, this colt is a half-brother to the smart eight-year-old Madges Lane Karol So (1.40m) who, under Michael Pender, jumped at the RDS this year. Adding versatility, the dam is a half-sister to the American-based Luckaun Quality (CCI4*) who was the Irish reserve for the WEG event team last month. A real enthusiast, McConville always sources a few stores each year, and is the owner of the Dermott Lennon-ridden jumper MJM Pursuit. “I liked the breeding of both foals, as well as the conformation,” he commented.
Stock by Cornet Obolensky have proved enduringly popular this year, and another to achieve was Johnny Ahearne’s filly (305) out of Lux Like Iona (Lux Z). The first foal, she produced a good return for her vendor when selling to the UK-based Ryan Chapman for €6,200. “I came close to selling the dam but decided to keep her to breed from – and I’m glad I did,” commented the Co Clare breeder, who revealed that his mare is now in foal to the Coolballyshan Stud resident Vivant Van Heffinck.
The select section, which supports the Breeders Classic at Barnadown and had been a success last year, saw just six of the 13 on offer change hands. Sale-topper aside, those who did sell sold modestly, with GBBS’s colt by Jorado out of the good mare Eurydike (1.50m) by Accord heading the remainder at €5,000. Eddie Power, bidding by telephone secured this lot, while a filly (286) by Gold Fever delivered the next best return of €4,000.
FRIDAY
Friday’s trade produced the week’s best clearance (52%) together with a top return of €8,000. This fell to Dermot Murphy’s filly (226) by the young stallion Jorado out of Curraghtown Cruise by Cruising. Local man Jim O’Neill signed the docket for this nice foal, and with another by the same sire, will store her to produce.
A further two lots realised €5,000, the first being Tom Finn’s Drumin Romeo (171) by Womanizer (dam by Mr Big Cat). Liam Collum was at ringside this one, while a few lots later, Clem McMahon paid the same for AAB Ruby (186), a filly by Tyson out of Rockmount Rosie by Indoctro. No stranger to this proven family, McMahon had jumped the half-sister Hilton CMS Paparazzi into 10th spot in the Grand Prix at the RDS last summer, and has since sold her to America.
BROODMARES
Despite carrying some decent enough pedigrees, the demand for the mares was poor. The top price of €3,800 fell to Eamon McArdle’s young mare (105) by Chaman out of Unicasan (by Voltaire) and certified in foal to Parco. Offering breeders a chance to buy into a proven continental line, this filly is a half-sister to several good jumpers, while her dam is a half-sister to Omar Shariff (1.60m SJ). Another from the same consignor by Sir Shutterfly realised €2,000, but of the six who changed hands, half made less than four figures.
The appetite for foals was a little better, and topping them at €5,000 was the Zidane-sired colt (108) out of Bright Eyes R (Indoctro). Although he was initially led out unsold, he was soon secured by Tomas Doyle of Monbeg Sport Horses.
AUCTION
Just before the appearance of the special selection foals, Ronan Rothwell auctioned some generously sponsored lots to raise funds for the Irish Breeders Classic.
Realising just short of €3,000, the prizes included nominations from the Tullabeg Stud, the Kylemore Stud and Belmont House Stud as well as services from equine dentist and vet Aoife Quigley and the Ballyorney Veterinary Clinics.
WHAT THEY SAID
David Kirkpatrick – youngstock showman: “Breeders need to start examining the quality of the horse they are presenting. They are choosing the stallions on paperwork alone – and they are not complimenting the mares. The conformation is getting very poor.”
Dr Jack Murphy – breeder: “The quality is diverse, and we now have too much outcross breeding – it’s gone too far. That said there were some lovely animals going through the ring – some making only €1,400 – €1,500. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some of the owners and syndicates of our silver medal winning event team were here supporting our breeders, and buying foals to rear and store for the future.”
Donal Goland – stallion man: “Unless you have the special jumping pedigree, foals are making poor prices. However, the man with the traditionally bred foal is often better paid than the one importing semen – and at a lesser risk.”
Ronan Rothwell – auctioneer and competition horse breeder: “Selective as always. For the breeders who have bred the article to suit the market – they have a good return considering the length of time it takes to achieve it.”
Dessie Gibson – showman: “Trade was good for what they were, but I think that the situation has gone beyond serious. I have bought one who might make a small hunter, but overall there are some good topped foals but with bad limbs. The presentation has also gone downhill.”
George Chapman – judge: “The top end is good, while the bottom is a disaster. One thing - the traditional are nearly gone and nobody seems to want them anyway.”
TOP RETURNS