IN a week that marked the demise of the historic Croker Cup (for thoroughbred stallions) at the RDS, it was ironic that a son of Pointilliste should head last week’s Goresbridge figures by a distance. Changing hands for €18,000, Noel Freyne’s gelding was the highlight of a lively three days which delivered a much improved turnover, together with a glut of good returns.
While demand for the older stock was steady, the biggest leap in the returns hailed from the four-year-old sector. Prices were strong throughout, and trade for the age group was, according to auctioneer Ed Donohoe, “the best I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
As a result, this two-session dispersal of four-year-olds produced an age clearance rate of 81% (70% in 2016) together with an average of €4,028 (€3,220).
In direct contrast, demand for the three-year-old horses was not as strong as in 2016. Buyers were extremely discerning for the younger stock, and consequently just 45% (64%) sold delivering an average return of €2,357 (€2,725). Balancing these two sectors with a steady trade for older horses, the overall figures steadied to illustrate a solid enough clearance rate of 65% (72%) which, although reduced from last year, was boosted by an increase in average of €3,422 (€3,182).
“Obviously, we’re very satisfied with the very strong trade,” confirmed Goresbridge auctioneer Martin Donohoe. “We had lots of customers over the three days, and it was also nice to see so many new ones, especially from America and mainland Europe. There was a serious trade for the four-year-olds, and while the younger age group was weaker, there were loads of people present, and the clearance rate only reflects the quality. I’m not concerned, and there is no doubt that when the better three-year-olds come forward there will be a serious trade for them too.”
SALE-TOPPER
Creating the biggest impact of the three days, Noel Freyne’s sale-topper (276) passed through the sale ring on Tuesday afternoon. The home-bred gelding had showcased well under event rider Jessica O’Driscoll, and bred on traditional lines, attracted event buyers in their numbers. Bidding was rapid from the outset, but from €8,000 the competition developed into a two-way duel between riders from America and England. Both were determined, and although responding briskly, the former eventually conceded to British international Rose Carnegie (Fenton).
A first time visitor to the venue, Carnegie was enthusiastic about her new purchase, saying, “I have just sold my three-star horse, Master Rory, and was looking for something to replace him. I rode this boy here earlier today, and although he’s green, I could just imagine him galloping around Badminton. He had a great temperament, canter and hind leg, and I really liked the breeding.”
It was, of course, local breeding, with the Slyguff Stud stallions Pointilliste and Kings Master appearing as the sire and the dam’s sire. Bred in Kilcullen, near Inistioge, Noel Freyne’s gelding is the second foal out of the hunter mare Kilcullen Jilly.
“I feel fantastic!” said a delighted Freyne. “I thought he could make €10,000 but I never imagined this price.”
The gelding was given plenty of time to mature, and having been broken last year, was turned away until a few weeks ago. On a recommendation from his Co Cork-based brother Eddie Freyne, the gelding then moved to O’Driscoll, who prepared him over the two weeks before the sale.
OLDER STOCK
Despite their growing scarcity, another traditionally-bred gelding realised the next best return at €9,400. By Clover Flush, the five-year-old Mind Reader (125) was consigned by Hannah Wood, who had successfully produced him on the young event horse, show and working hunter circuit. Wood came across the gelding as a three-year-old while holidaying in Donegal, and has broken and produced him throughout.
The smart chesnut, who was bred by Lawrence Gillivan out of the mare Knockdoomney Cruise (Bahrain Cruise), had also won 10 SJI points, and had followed the Killinick Harriers.
It was this versatile mileage that appealed to successful buyer Jim Derwin, who commented: “I’ve bought some very nice horses this week, but I think this one is particularly smart, and could do a variety of jobs. Trade has been good, but it’s been hard work to buy the ones you want.”
Although American customer Rhonda Gailey had missed out on the top lot, she had already secured Meabh Bolger’s Allegro (226) for €9,000. The five-year-old by Billy Congo out of Billy Shannon Bells (Animo) had been sourced locally over the winter, and had competed in training shows.
“I really like the way he was produced and his jump,” said Georgia based Gailey, who had opened her Goresbridge account at the Go For Gold sale last November. “We were lucky with those from the Go For Gold, and have sold them,” she said, “so we have returned to restock.”
Athlone’s Jim Derwin was extremely active over the first two days, and among the remainder of his sizeable haul was Tara Dunne’s show jumping gelding Freddie C (89) at €8,300. Home-bred, by Camiro de Haar Z out of Clovers Pal (Clover Hill), the good-moving six-year-old had clocked up 24 SJI points in classes to 1.20m level.
Also making an impression was Vincent Meaney’s MHS Clare Boy (94), who was knocked down to German agent Victoria Von Schoen for €7,800.
The well-related five-year-old had qualified for the Burghley Young Event horse championships in England last year, and by Watermill Swatch of Royal Charter (Cavalier Royale), is a sibling to numerous graded show jumpers, including the 1.60m performer Coral Springs (ridden by Manjun Kwon) and the top jumping pony MHS Kilkenny All Star.
“My client had already seen a video of the horse and I liked him as well,” explained Von Schoen.
A total of 38 older horses exceeded the €4,000 mark, with many clustering between €6-7,000. Among them, Ian Williams’ Grove Hill Boy (193) by Painters Row looked well bought by Trade Horse Ltd at €6,700. Killian Dunne showcased this six-year-old, who had clocked up numerous wins in the show ring, and was placed reserve champion at the RDS.
A few lots later, Thomas Horgan’s well-bred mare Cavalier Vendi (215) also caught the eye, when changing hands for €6,600. A catalogue pick on paper, this six-year-old is a half sibling to the British-based show jumper Ardenteggle Poltarf (1.50m) ridden by Matthew Clayton, as well as the former Burghley Young Event Horse champion and promising two-star event horse Cavalier Crystal. Impressing under Gemma Phelan, the mare was only broken 12 weeks ago, having bred foals in the past two years. Scottish visitor Susan Cook signed for this useful mare, who will now compete on the show jumping and working hunter circuit.
Never far from the ringside, Jim Derwin accounted for Tinnock Stable’s lightly campaigned Derrycloney Lad (129) for €6,400, while one of the native breeds to sell well was Jodie Skelton’s Loughlin Prince (189). Regular Goresbridge buyer Helen White paid €6,100 for this smart grey, who is by Kilcoltrim Major out of Castlelodge Breeze (Ashfield Storm Cloud). White, who is another Go For Gold customer, will event this well-hunted gelding, who has followed the Carlow Farmers for two full seasons.
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS
Delivering some of the strongest trade for the age group seen in recent years, the four-year-olds produced the best returns of the three days. Eighty-six passed through the ring in two sessions, with a total of 70 changing hands.
As the momentum carried over both days, good prices emerged with regularity, but none could match the €8,500 sale of Sergei Makhinya’s Fuerty Vendi (307).
Bred to perform, this youngster is out of the show jumping mare Chateaunique, and a sibling to Fuerty Captain Carismo (63 SJI points) and the Italian-based RLE Fuerty Carismo (1.40m). A son of Ars Vivendi (dam by Carismo), he was sourced as a three-year-old from Vladimir Binko, and had been produced by his vendor in the local shows.
“I like to try to pick up a quality three-year-old with a nice pedigree,” explained Fethard-based Makhinya.
“I work at Ballydoyle in the mornings, but I do my own horses afterwards, and like to produce them quietly myself.” Bred by Michael Bailey in Co Meath, this smart gelding is another heading to America with event rider Rhonda Gailey.
Having already sourced the world class show jumpers Dougie Douglas and Quality Old Joker at the venue, Leicestershire show jumping owner Graham Smith has to be one of Goresbridge’s luckiest patrons.
Rarely missing a sale, he is a shrewd judge, and once again he appears to have bought well by securing Alan Wheeler’s home-bred Ifnotwhynot (356) for €8,400. One of last crop by Pacino, this filly has been lightly produced, and has been given time to mature.
“I don’t know what it is I like about her, but I really do,” commented Smith. “Who knows, she has a bit of breeding, a good step and a jump.”
Clustering well, and kickstarting day three in a positive way, Vincent Meaney’s Napoleon Solo (332) changed hands at €8,200. Well showcased under a busy DJ O’Sullivan, the gelding by Dondoctro Ryal K (dam by Limmerick) was one of several horses knocked down to Staffordshire-based traders Fox Meadow Equestrian. Bred in Kilkenny by Abby Mahon, this gelding is out of the useful event and show jumping mare Full of Hope.
Three further lots smashed the €7,000 mark, the first of which was Shane Nolan’s Killaloe Lance (353) a gelding by Lancelot out of Aloe Duchess (Ard VDL Douglas). Bought from the same venue as a foal, he has since produced a double clear round in the RDS age group qualifier at Barnadown.
Kieran Kinsella signed for this attractive sort at €7,700, while a few lots earlier Brian Sheehan’s Keamore Darco (336) was knocked down to Katherine Davis at €7,200.
Also impressing from the supplementary sheet was Brian Flynn’s Cappaquin (509) a gelding by Harlequin du Carel out of Lux Gael (Olympic Lux). At €7,000, Cheshire’s Alex Wilcox accounted for this gelding who was sourced as a three-year-old, and well produced by Meabh Bolger.
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
While the buyers remained on site in number, the three-year-old trade was muted in comparison.
As usual, buyers were very selective, and although only 45% changed hands, this figure largely reflected the quality on offer. It is still early in the year for the age group, and most serious vendors will be keeping their powder dry.
One who did buck the trend however, was an impressive gelding by Harley VDL (443) consigned by B. Dolan from Co Meath. Having been bought as a colt, and recently castrated, the gelding was knocked down a to Cash buyer for the session’s best price of €9,300.
Prices for the remaining lots all fell well below what was deemed to be their value, although the jumping bred CSF Touch Of Class (430) by Classe VDL out of CSF Alina (Argentinius) sold the best when secured by Graham Smith at €5,000.
PONIES
The smaller of the species sold satisfactorily to deliver at 61% clearance and an average of €2,421. The enduring popularity of the Connemara fared well, with four of the native breed heading the returns.
All four ponies bettered or equalled the €4,000 mark, with sale topping honours falling to John Flynn’s Ruby Menlo Kellys Boy (49) at €4,300.
Martin Curran produced this smart sort, who is by Fredericksminde Lorenzo (dam by Commanding Hero) and was knocked down to a cash buyer.
Jim Derwin was at ringside to account for Ann Lambert’s well hunted Ballinacarra Sunset (33) by Shadows Dun at €4,000, while trader Niall Daly paid the same for Riona Finn’s The Active Gent (30).
The latter, by Tempo Active Gent had clocked up plenty of mileage under Jay Finn, which included a tally of 15 SJI points, and some hunting with the Galway Blazers.
Finally, Page Farms Partnership parted with the same figure to take home Ann Power’s seven-year-old Slieve Bloom Jake (26) by Monaghanstown Boy who had hunted with the Kill and Dungarvan Harriers for three seasons.
TOP PRICES
Noel Freyne 5yo gelding by Pointilliste (dam by Kings Master) €18,000.
Hannah Wood Mind Reader, 5yo gelding by Clover Flush (dam by Bahrain Cruise) €9,400.
B. Dolan 3yo gelding by Harley VDL €9,300.
Meabh Bolger 5yo gelding by Billy Congo (dam by Animo) €9,000
S.Makhinya Fuerty Vendi, 4yo gelding by Ars Vivendi (dam by Carismo) €8,500