IT was thanks to Athlone horse dealer Jim Derwin that there was no shortage of euros at the October Horse & Pony Performance sales held last Saturday at Mullingar Equestrian Centre.

Derwin must have filled many of his orders as he bought no less than 22 lots under the hammer including the highest price of the session, which was €5,200 for Claire Sheerin’s handsome Irish Draught gelding Highfield Finn Dell (Fintan Himself-Digby Bell) (Lot 67). He won at Balmoral as a foal and at the National Livestock show at Tullamore and is no stranger to the hunting field.

Jim Derwin said afterwards: “There is nothing better than an old fashioned Irish Draught – this lad certainly fitted the bill.”

He also paid €4,500 for C. Melia’s unnamed six-year-old grey I.D. gelding (Mackney Clover-Mackney Rockrimmon) (Lot 94). Other purchases included €3,400 for Gay Parkinson’s well-bred Connemara gelding Glencarrig Jupiter (Coosheen Storm Boy-Glancarrig Lisa) (Lot 69).

Also sold to Derwin was Margaret Finan’s five-year-old strawberry roan Connemara filly Oldrock Prince (Glenayre Silver Fox-Oldrock Beauty) (Lot 19) who reached €3,300.

Following the sales at Mullingar, Derwin headed to Ballinasloe Fair the following day and reportedly picked up 50 more lots on the hoof.

ALL-ROUNDER

Meath-based Trade Horse Ltd secured Patrick Riordan’s gelding Castlemyles Killkea Castle (Lot 63) for €4,600, who looked like a competent all-rounder with plenty of experience and ability. The same buyer paid €2,000 for T. Costello’s black five-year-old gelding Molly’s Coole Diamond (Lot 86) who looks good value at that price.

Ivan White sold a quality Connemara mare, Branchfield Beauty (Castle Gigolo – Tina How Lily) (Lot 24), on the bid of €3,300 from Niall Daly.

Ryan Chapman paid €4,500 for William Armstrong’s well-coupled grey four-year-old gelding Kilboyne Captain (Fuerty Captain Carismo-Kilboyne Star) (Lot 52).

Myles Cash loves a a bargain and he got one for €650, Bart Nannery’s five-year-old piebald gelding Ballybrien Lad (Lot 35) who looks like a great pony for the hunting season.