THERE was plenty to smile about at Goresbridge last week as the seasonal opener delivered an impressive set of returns.

Peaking with a top price of €38,000, the two-day edition bettered even last year’s record-breaking renewal to close with a turnover of €1,684,850 together with an overall average of €6,263 (€5,870).

Twenty-four individuals realised in excess of €10,000, and while the overall clearance of 73% (80%) slipped below that of last year, these figures were exceeded in a notably strong four-year-old division which produced an average of €7,173 and with 75% changing hands.

This was another excellent result for Ed and Siobhan Donohoe who, having now held the reins for 12 months, are seeing the benefits of increased marketing and promotion. “We’re delighted with the increase in entries, and of course thrilled to see the figures way up on last year,” commented Donohoe. “Vendors have supported us in sending us their horses, and so we’re delighted that the trade has improved to match that support.

“Our mission now is to continue to invest in sourcing new customers from the continent and beyond and we are already looking forward to our next sale in May. This will run over two days from May 7th and will incorporate our new Connemara pony section.”

Top price

For the second year in succession the top rewards fell to the highly successful partnership of MBF Sporthorses and Higgins Sport Horses. With a variety of lots between them, the team has set a high bar in terms of presentation and production, and on Thursday were well represented by MBF Fortuna (Lot 240) who headed the sale at €38,000.

An eye catcher from the get go, the filly was the subject of a spirited dual, following which American online buyer Denis Sargenti finally out-bid bloodstock consultant Michael Donohoe, who was acting on the behalf of a Middle Eastern client.

A comparatively recent purchase, the four-year-old grey filly was sourced from her breeder William McDonald just before Christmas and, by Imnotafraid Fortuna, is out of PLS Halo Vendi (Ars Vivendi). A well-related half-sister to PLS Executive (1.40m) and from a family full of international performers, she was well showcased by Alice Martin Jones.

“We thought she would make a lot of money and while we knew we had several American customers showing interest, we never expected to get this sort of price,” commented Brian Flynn.

“The successful buyer had bought a horse from us about eight years ago and, having seen the videos prior to sale, she loved her and contacted us. She’s a lovely filly, and while she is green, she is very genuine with a super temperament.”

Older horses

Wednesday opened steadily with several five figure returns, but really burst into life when Keith Wilson’s Irish Draught gelding Corlisheen Bright Star (Lot 96) changed hands online for €18,000.

Only a four-year-old (catalogued as a five-year-old), the gelding had been well marketed by Wilson and, with some tempting online videos with his young son Luke on board, had really caught the imagination.

A son of Baltydaniel Silver Flight, the chesnut was bred by the late John Anthony Cogan out of the mare Lough Bo Star by Annaghdown Star, hailing from Cogan’s old family of Miss Gethins - a mare he bought in 1970. Wilson in turn, had sourced the chesnut from Brian Cogan as a three-year-old, and in the interim he had been quietly broken and produced.

Lot 96, Keith Wilson's Corlisheen Bright Star, was sold to the UK for €18,000 at the two-day Goresbridge performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

“He’s a very, very kind horse,” said a jubilant Wilson. “I was not expecting such a big price, but he’s the sort everyone wants.”

This sentiment was shared by successful buyer Natalie Heaton who, speaking to The Irish Field from her home in Cheshire, remarked. “He looked so kind natured on the videos and a great sort. I do a lot of trail riding around the country and over the mountains, and think we will have a great life together. He did blow the budget a bit and I’ve never bought unseen before, but luckily the hammer fell at the point of no return!”

Fresh from jumping on the sunshine circuit, New Dehli rider Vibhu Rastogi did well when his Hungarian-bred mare Candy (Lot 350) changed hands for €15,200. Ably partnered by Cathal Daniels, the Indoctro sired 13-year-old had competed to 1.45m level and was only for sale as Rastogi, who has been based with Daniels, is returning to India shortly.

Sligo-based Brian Cash was the lucky buyer of this big mare, who will now be ridden and competed by his junior rider son Jack. “We watched the videos and were happy enough,” said Cash afterwards.

Lot 350, the 13-year-old gelding Candy, was sold for €15,200 at the two-day Goresbridge performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

Banker

The trade for traditionally bred quiet riding horses has been the constant banker in recent years, and another to shine was Albert Whitehead’s attractive five-year-old Connemara/Irish Draught gelding (Lot 122), by Grange Jasper out of Woodland Gap (Windgap Blue).

A dark dun and well hunted with the Killinick, Island and Wexford hounds, he attracted bids from both an active online platform as well as from buyers in house. Once again it was Brian Cash who signed the docket at €14,000 before commenting: “He’s a great colour and a smashing type, and he’s one I might just keep for Jack to hunt.”

At €13,000, another of the notable older horse returns on day two went to Gabriel Mullins home-bred gelding Cody’s Boy (Lot 209), by Vancouver. A flashy chesnut with four white stockings, he is out of the traditionally bred Slaney Pointillist (Pointilliste) and is a half-brother to the useful Codys Glasgow.

Produced by Vicky Foster and ridden on the day by Barry Brown, the gelding caught the eye of American visitor and major Go For Gold customer Ruthie Meyers.

The Ocala resident was paying her first visit to the Goresbridge complex and, having snapped up three lots, was led to comment: “I’ve been very pleasantly surprised at the quality here today which is sometimes more difficult to assess online and to be able to watch the horses here in the flesh is much nicer.”

Meyers added that trade is strong in Ocala at the moment and also disclosed her preference for the Irish horse. “We buy horses from all over the world, but I have to say around 60-70% are Irish bred - and this is because of their quality and value.”

Four-year-olds

Closing with a 75% clearance together with a healthy average of €7,174, the four-year-olds were the stand out age group. Top return aside, a further 12 lots smashed the five-figure barrier with Higgins Sport Horses and Mary Bolger’s smart Sandfield Quality Rock (Lot 241) reaping the next best return at €23,500.

Another eye-catching grey, this son of Rock N’Roll Ter Putte was the second progeny out of Oh Busted (OBOS Quality) and was sourced from his breeder Emma Lucas as a foal. As part of the Higgins’ team, Thomas O’Leary and Alice Martin Jones produced this individual who was secured online by American buyer Heather Bush.

Lot 241, Sandfield Quality Rock, was sold for €23,500 at the two-day Goresbridge performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

O’Leary and Martin Jones were later in the hot seat in their own right, when their traditionally bred William (Lot 263), by Rustic Ridge, was knocked down to British customer Joanna Penlington Brown for €13,000.

Returning to the fray, the MBF and Higgins team also did well when their gelding Hughie (Lot 279) was in strong demand at €14,000.

Another bound for the United States, this son of the Connemara pony sire Mountross Ernan was bred by Ciara O’Riordan out of Kilfeacle Star by Financial Reward.

Co Clare trader Vincent Meaney is never short of a nice horse and, on Thursday, he was well represented by a gelding (Lot 286) by Sligo Candy Boy out of Crossdrum Victor (Crossdrum Spurs). A quality sort and well ridden by Lily O’Dea, he was knocked down to Shropshire producer Annie Dalton for €15,000.

“That was tough going and I was pushed to the limit,” jested Dalton. “That said he is a really nice type and trade in the UK is good at the moment for this sort of horse.”

Three-year-olds

Closing the proceedings was a collection of 12 three-year-olds, which delivered a 58% clearance together with an average of €4,500. Prices were modest overall, but one to buck the trend was Trade Horses Ltd’s Spellbound (Lot 328), a gelding by Hocus Pocus out of Tregenna (Hand in Glove).

Heading the figures at a resectable €13,200, he hailed from the immediate maternal family of the puissance winning Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier and several other international performers and was secured by British buyer Oliver Finnegan.

Ponies

A significantly increased entry, and an improvement in quality saw a strong opening trade on Wednesday morning. Some 75% of the 51 ponies on offer changed hands, which in turn led to an average of €4,877.

Heading the sector at €10,000, and opening Keith Wilson’s account in a positive way, was the Co Monaghan vendor’s grey filly Amigo OG (Lot 32) by the Connemara stallion Loughmor Macdara OG out of Old Meadow Amigo, by the KWPN sport horse sire Amigo B.

Sourced last year, and quietly produced, the four-year-old looked well bought by online customer Janine Mulgrew.

Lot 32, Amigo Og, sold for €10,000 at the two-day Goresbridge performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

Fellow producer Debbie Flavin rarely misses out on the better returns and this time around was rewarded when her four-year-old Connemara filly Lady Walsh (Lot 11) realised €9,600.

Ridden as always by Flavin’s 12-year-old daughter Emily, the filly by Maam Hero out of Grove Gina (Kilmore Diamond) was sourced from Colm O’Brien last year and secured by local customer Julie Raftice.

Top returns