A PHENOMENAL demand for older horses led to a roaring trade at Goresbridge last Thursday, while Wednesday’s inaugural Connemara and dedicated pony day exceeded all expectations.

Attracting buyers from all corners of the world, the opening two sessions of the six-day September renewal illustrated a marked upturn from 12 months ago. Much to the delight of Ed Donohoe and his team, the two days turned over €1,229,600 – a figure significantly increased from the €651,050 returned from the equivalent days last year.

Looking at the returns, 27 lots achieved the five-figure benchmark, six of which hailed from the pony division. “I’m absolutely buzzing,” said Donohoe yesterday (Friday) morning. “From start to finish, trade was so strong - and while realistically I was expecting it to come to an end at some stage of the afternoon, it just kept on going.

“The trade for ponies and the Connemara ponies overwhelmed us, we never believed that it would be so well supported – it was incredible and we have never experienced a pony trade like it.”

Donohoe was also keen to pay tribute to his brother Martin, from whom he bought the business earlier in the year, and who now is enjoying his role as auctioneer. “I’d really like to acknowledge the firm foundation that Martin and Mary Frances have built over the past 30 years, and my mother before that.

“They have done a phenomenal job. All we are doing is building on that very strong base and luckily our vendors and customers are buying into the whole Goresbridge experience.”

Sale topper

Very typical of the sort of horse in demand, the sale topping honours at €20,000 fell to Tara Brandon’s smart Captain Smokey (Lot 319), a grey gelding by Castlelawn Captain Junior out of Ryans Pet (by Ricardo Z). Sourced from his Co Clare breeder Damien McInerney earlier this year, the classy gelding had clocked up 12 SJI points under Tadgh McInerney, and latterly with Gabriel Slattery Jnr.

A half-brother to the RDS qualified six-year-old Castlelawn Sibon, he was well ridden on the day by Shane Dalton and, following a determined exchange, was finally secured by Scottish customer Russell Skelton on behalf of Louise McDonald.

Skelton, who accounted for several high priced lots during the course of the session, hails from Wick on the very north tip of Scotland, just south of John O’Groats. “We are so remote, the horses we buy have to do a bit of everything to a high standard,” he explained. “We will produce this one for Louise, with the aim of competing in show jumping, eventing and working hunters.”

Older horses

Closing with a 79% (65% in 2023) clearance, the demand for older horses appeared at times insatiable. Sale topper aside, a further 20 lots smashed the five-figure barrier, with next in line at €18,000 falling to Lorcan Hennessy’s Ballynoe Clinton Jack (Lot 274), an experienced grade A show jumper by Clinton Jack out of Knights Bridge (Ars Vivendi).

Ridden by Mark Cleary, and formerly campaigned by Seamus Hennessy and Paul Beecher, the 10-year-old has a career total of 419 SJI points. “I bought him from Evan O’Connor as a four-year-old and is only being sold because my son Seamus is now away working for Bertram Allen,” explained Cork-based Hennessey.

Co Sligo trader Tieran Gray signed for this good type, saying afterwards. “He’s a good, straightforward horse who is doing his job well and is a sort hard to find.”

Lot 274, Lorcan Hennessy’s Ballynoe Clinton Jack, was sold for €18,000 \ Sally Parkyn

Changing hands at just €1,000 less was Jenny Walsh’s unnamed gelding (Lot 185) by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (dam’s breeding unrecorded). Determined to realise her gelding’s full potential, Walsh finally put him on the market at €17,000 with Yorkshire trader Beth Dyson making the winning bid.

“We bought him as a two-year-old from breeder and family friend Jack Duggan,” said Wexford vendor Walsh, whose husband Benny is more recognisable in racing circles. “He’s been well hunted with the Killinick hounds, as well as training shows and working hunters.”

Lot 185 was sold to Britain for €17,000 at the Goresbridge September Sale \ Sally Parkyn

Connemara ponies

Any early concerns that this new venture might lack support were firmly put to rest when both the buyers and the entries flooded in. A boost to Connemara enthusiasts in the south of the country, and also to those who enjoyed the showcasing facilities on offer, the sale closed with two lots sharing the sale topping honours at €10,000 apiece. First up was Phillipa Baird’s Loch Luatha (Lot 115) a five-year-old gelding by Carrig Galen Miller out of Kilrateera Diamond (Newgrange Dancer).

Having travelled from her home in Co Down, Baird was well rewarded for her effort, and commenting afterwards, she jested. “I’m very happy with my price – and Clifden is even further!”

Baird, who works for racehorse trainer Noel McParland, sourced the gelding unbroken two years ago and aside from having one event run with Molly Evans, has produced him herself.

Devon trade buyers Candy and Geoff Martin had to dig deep for this smart sort, while selling for the same amount a few lots later was the Walshe family’s attractive four-year-old filly Merrylegs 1 (Lot 123), by Banks Timber out Raford Lady Luck (Tulira Robuck).

Another to sell well at €9,200 was Fiona Donohue’s home-bred gelding Into The West (Lot 143), a five-year-old by Western Boy out of Rathattan Lass by Ardgaineen Boy. Well ridden by Feagh Guinan, and produced by Donohue’s Parkmore Stables in Ballinasloe, the grey was secured online.

“Delighted with the sale and the outcome and it’s one we shall definitely support in the future,” said the vendor.

Ponies

Delivering probably the best pony trade ever seen at the venue, the general pony sector closed with a top return of €17,000. Business was lively from the get go, and while strong prices came thick and fast, none could emulate the €17,000 paid for Jerry Lenihan’s home-bred Seafield Be Lucky (Lot 78) a 148cms palomino gelding by the sport horse sire Ganesh Hero Z.

Beautifully presented by Debbie Flavin and Niall Redmond of Den Stride Stables, he was the last foal out of the Moores Clover-sired dam, who was originally bought from Andrea Etter.

“We were never going to let him go for less than €10,000,” remarked the Bonmahon-based vendor. “He’s a beautiful pony, and only for sale as our daughter Kate has got a job, so we don’t have a rider. Debbie and Niall have produced him beautifully.”

Seafield Be Lucky (Lot 78) was the top priced pony, selling for €17,000 at the Goresbridge September Sale \ Sally Parkyn

Unsurprisingly, there were several buyers in at the business end of the proceedings, but none could match the final bid of Philip Carey, who signed on behalf of the Swedish-based Sven Ingvarsson. Further show jumping production is pencilled in for this smart performer, who will then be sold on.

The locally-based show jumping Aylward family also had a storming sale, when selling several home-breds at healthy returns. Seven changed hands, with the top prices of €15,000 and €12,500 going to the Beowulf-sired Coppenagh Clyde (Lot 93) and Coppenagh Eden (Lot 59).

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