THERE were plenty of eye-catchers at Goresbridge last week, but none turned heads quite as much as MBF Sporthorses’ Party Boy Z, a flashy four-year-old, who headed the busy two-day renewal at a whopping €28,500. Passing through the ring on Thursday afternoon, the son of Presley Boy looked the complete package, and was one of over 20 lots to realise in excess of five figures.

As the market buoyancy continues, trade was brisk from the get-go, especially in the older stock and the four-year-old sectors. The commercial and private buyers were equally active, while online customers accounted for many of the higher returns.

Looking at the figures, the overall clearance hiked positively to close at 72% (70% in 2023), with demand at its peak for the older horses with mileage and four-year-olds with potential. In the former group, 76% of those on offer changed hands at an average of €6,808, while in the younger division, the figures closed at 74% and €6,406 respectively.

Largely as anticipated, the appetite for the final three-year-olds was limited and prices lacklustre, with the result that the age group contributed significantly to the overall average of €5,755, which dipped from €6,741 12 months ago.

Summing up, however, it was another very solid edition for new boss Ed Donohoe, who commented: “In reflecting on last week’s sale, it’s evident that the sport horse market is in a robust state, which was highlighted by a high clearance rate and impressive prices achieved. The sales complex was full of prospective buyers, notably many from the UK, and it was particularly satisfying to note the presence of numerous first time buyers.

“With such positive momentum to build on, we eagerly anticipate the second half of the year’s trading. Our focus now shifts to preparing for our upcoming July sale entries.”

Lot 234, a four-year-old mare by Chacoa, went for €16,000 to US buyer J. Treacy \ Sally Parkyn

Sale topper

Standing just 16 hands, but making up for his lack of inches with an abundance of presence and talent, the sale-topping Party Boy Z (Lot 208) was a class apart. His jumping performance under Meabh Flynn was spectacular, so it came as no surprise that once in the ring, the bids for ownership flew up the scale. In the end, a tense dual developed between an online bidder and Ed Donohoe on the telephone, with the latter coming out on top at €28,500.

“If they were all like him, it would make our job very easy,” said MBF spokesman Brian Flynn. “There was a lot of interest, so we hoped he would sell well and, while he’s not over big, we find we can sell this height almost easier than the big ones.”

A son of Presley Boy, out of the good jumping mare Atomone by Karandasj, the well-related Party Boy Z was imported last year and, having been broken in by Louise Plascott, has since been produced at the MBF base in Co Waterford. It was later listed that the successful customer was an undisclosed American event rider who, as a regular supporter of the MBF team, was buying on behalf of a junior client.

Older horses

Heading the older stock at €16,500 was Jim Seymour’s homebred jumping mare June Vivant (Lot 80) by Vivant Van De Heffinck. A catalogue pick on paper, she is already the winner of 134 SJI points to date, and is as yet, the only recorded progeny of the grade A mare June Johnson (OBOS Quality). Liam O’Meara has produced this smart mare through the ranks, and quipped afterwards: “I’m going to sound like Ted Walsh, but I even rode the dam.”

British buyer George Dodds was at ringside to secure this one, while later in the afternoon Edward Burke accounted for Jacqueline Browne’s Keelnacally Cobra Clover (Lot 145), an eight-year-old gelding by Cobra out of Annaghmore Clofi (Clover Fields). A top young rider show jumping prospect with proven grand prix-winning and international form under Jonathan Smyth, he will be campaigned further in Ireland, before selling on.

“We have customers in mind for him, and there is a good chance he will head to Sweden,” said Burke.

A further 10 of the age group broke the five-figure barrier, among which was Gemma Murphy’s beautifully presented Cappa Junior (Lot 111) a five-year-old grey gelding believed to be by Cappa Sarsfield. Sourced privately a year ago, he has been quietly produced and, at €11,500, looked well bought by Ollie Woodward on behalf of European Sport Horses (UK).

One of many to be snapped up online was Dermott Molloy’s Bailey (Lot 81), who at €11,000 was typical of the type in demand. Traditionally bred by Classiebawn Hughes Promise (dam by Cork Arthur), this five-year-old was a proper all-rounder and had been in the same ownership since a two-year-old.

Lot 80, June Vivant (Vivant Van De Heffinck x OBOS Quality) went for €16,500 to UK buyer G. Dodds \ Sally Parkyn

Four-year-olds

Usually the banker of the age groups, the four-year-olds lived up to expectation to deliver a raft of good returns. Sale-topper aside, nine realised in excess of five figures, among which at €16,000 was Johnny Widger’s attractive filly (Lot 234) by Chacoa out of Clover’s Connection by Corlough Clover. Sourced through the same sale ring last October, and very well produced by Matilda Kiviniemi, she was knocked down to Co Laois-based agents Richard and Daisy Trayford on behalf of American client Jennifer Treacy.

“We offer a risk mitigation service for overseas clients, who are perhaps too busy to come to buy in person,” explained Trayford, whose wife Daisy will trial the horses before they recommend to buy.

Never far from the business end of proceedings, the MBF Sporthorses-consigned MBF Oakley (Lot 230) caught the eye to sell to online at €15,500. Phoebe Hughes was the successful purchaser for this traditionally-bred gelding who, by Ardcolum Duke (dam by Financial Reward), was sourced from breeder Elspeth Bennett earlier in the year.

Towards the latter end of the session, Tara Brandon did well when her unnamed gelding (Lot 285) by Timone (dam by Ringwood Cassero) changed hands at €14,000. Sourced from breeder Damien McInerney and well ridden by Tadgh McKiernan, he was secured by Devon-based producers, Candy and Geoff Martin. As longstanding visitors to the venue, they are now accompanied by their event rider son, Ollie, who plans to produce this smart gelding through the Burghley Young Event Horse series. Reflecting on the price. Martin commented: “Prices are up everywhere – the biggest job is finding the quality.”

Lot 24, Dandy, was the top-priced pony, selling for €11,000

Ponies

The opening pony sector was especially lively, with the top return of €11,000 falling to Niall Redmond’s Connemara gelding Dandy (Lot 24). Ridden and produced by Redmond’s daughter Emily, Dandy is by Maecon Boy out of Riverstown Queen (Commanding Hero). Ballinasloe’s Laura Geraghty (Penny Grimster) was the determined buyer and disclosed that she intends to campaign her new purchase in the Connemara working hunter classes at Clifden. Another stand out at €10,000 was Jolyn Byrne’s seven-year-old 148cm mare by Sligo Candy Boy, who was snapped up by Danish customers, JM Horses.

Three year-olds

It is still early in the year for the three-year-old market to bloom, so as reported, the final session of three-year-olds was predictably muted. The clearance of 60% and average of €3,020 were disappointing, but bucking the trend, the best price of €6,000 went to Tom O’Brien’s gelding by Tyson (dam by Iroko), who looked well bought by Ted Donohoe.