SAVING the fireworks until the final session, last week’s sport horse renewal at Goresbridge closed on a high, when a three-year-old by Castlefield Kingston realised the top return of €28,000.

Crowning a solid three days’ trading, and turning the tables on recent trends, the gelding’s sale was one of several notables in a three-year-old session, which was lively and competitive.

As predicted, the opening two days of older stock and four-year-olds did not disappoint and, following a strong and solid trade, the final figures closed positively with a major surge in turnover to €1,390,500 (€915,050 in 2023).

At 68% (64%) over the three days, the clearance also improved as did the overall average - albeit slight, to €5,208 (€5,199).

Reflecting on this latest edition, Ed Donohoe commented: “It was solid trading from start to finish, and the figures, which are well up from last year, illustrate this. I’m delighted – because for me its not about the turnover, it’s about clearance, which is the most important factor.

“A good clearance rate defines whether vendors have been able to sell their stock and that’s important. It was also very encouraging to see an upturn in the three-year-olds, which we fully expected to be tough. That said, it was tough in parts, but it produced a good, solid clearance and, in many places, was stronger than in September.”

Sale topper

Always an astute buyer and never far from the business end of proceedings, Ennis-based Alannah Morgan landed the scoop of the three days, when her flashy gelding (Lot 462) by Castlefield Kingston headed the entire renewal at €28,000.

Bred by Margaret Bergin in Co Laois, and sourced through the same sale ring as a foal, this was a slick piece of pin hooking by Morgan who, having originally paid just €5,400, commented afterwards: “I’m delighted. I hoped for a decent return – but that’s some price to get at a sale.”

The gelding is the first registered progeny of Fairfield Lucky (Ars Vivendi), whose predominately traditional maternal line goes back to Ballinvella and Gael Force. A flashy individual with four white socks and a big, athletic jump, he was an obvious pick and the tussle for ownership was prolonged.

In the end, it produced one of the most competitive exchanges of the entire week, with Co Limerick show jumper Robyn Moran finally getting the better of agent and producer Andrew Williams (Kilkenny International).

Speaking after the sale, Moran said:

“I came here to look for one to produce on and, while I didn’t expect to be paying that much, he was the only one I really wanted. He was very blood, light on his feet, quick off the floor and very scopey.”

Older horses

As expected, the trade for the older stock was solid from the outset. Eight lots realised in excess of five figures, to produce an average of €6,279 (€6,025) together with a clearance of 69% (68%).

Heading the group, which sold over two sessions, was Gerry O’Neill’s Calvescot (Lot 99), a five-year-old gelding by Carloy (dam by Wanninger). Changing hands at a respectable €15,000, the Irish-born gelding was knocked down to Co Laois agent Richard Trayford, acting on behalf of an American client.

“I didn’t know she was going to bid until half an hour earlier,” said Trayford. “But she had just had one in the country fall through, so decided to have a go.” The George McCullough-bred gelding had clocked up 20 SJI points, and will now go eventing with his new owner.

Among the other notables was Brian Moran’s grade A show jumper Fortside Big Bucks (Lot 226), an eight-year-old by OBOS Quality 004 out of Forever Lux (Lux Z). In the same home since a three-year-old, and produced through the ranks by Robyn Moran, he was only sold to make time for youngsters coming through. Described by his vendor as a big friendly giant, he was one of several secured by Danish trader Jan Mortenson, who finally paid €13,000.

A few lots earlier, Boleybawn Horses Ltd’s Cappulcorragh Harley (Lot 199) also sold well, when knocked down to UK-based producer Robert Stronge for €12,600. Sam Carey showcased this lightly competed five-year-old who, by Vivant Van de Heffinck, was bred by Elizabeth Murphy.

Online bidding was notably influential throughout, and one who was sold remotely was Ted Connolly’s Mullaghdrin Cadiz (Lot 180), a five-year-old mare by Cicero Z out of TJM Electric Blue (Plot Blue). The Gina Prescott-bred mare carried a career total of 15 SJI points under Shane Quinn and was prepped for sale by Tom Hearne.

Cobs and hunters with bone sold especially well and, standing out among these was Jamie Smyth’s Codeword (Lot 233), a seven-year-old show cob with no recorded breeding. A reserve champion at both the RDS and Balmoral, Codeword was described by Smyth as ‘always the bridesmaid’, but also one he feels will have a big future going forward. Newmarket-based trader Harvey Drea signed the docket for this smart cob at €10,900.

Four-year-olds

Yielding the strongest clearance of the three days, the four-year-olds closed at 75%, together with an average of €5,950. The appetite was strong throughout the session, with Dean Rogan’s Sea Mylord (Lot 286) heading the ranks at €16,000.

Sourced as a foal from the Glenamaddy sale, the son of Mylord Cathargo had been lightly campaigned earlier in the year, before being allowed to mature. Regular French buyer Guillaune Geneste was at ringside to sign for the gelding, who will travel with another 17 purchases to his Normandy base.

Geneste, who is a keen supporter of the sale and indeed the Irish horse, disclosed that all are aimed for the show jumping market and will be produced by stable jockey, Jerome Hurel.

Lot 286, Sea Mylord, was sold to France for €16,000 at the Goresbridge October performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

Big prices came thick and fast, and another stand-out was Rebecca Kieran’s home-bred gelding Boscado (Lot 315), by Jorado out of Roconael Camiro (Amiro M). Ryan O’Neill was in the saddle to showcase this smart sort who, after strong opposition, was well-bought by James White (Irish Horse Imports) at €16,000.

Explaining that he has bought this one for his partner Lucy to campaign, White added: “I liked the videos, he was a lovely type and had the added advantage of good x-rays.”

Lot 315, Roscado, a four-year-old by Jorado was sold to the UK for €16,000 at the Goresbridge October performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

Show horse and jumping producer Katrina Hirst is another astute buyer, and she was especially pleased to secure Hugh Fitzpatrick’s well-related gelding (Lot 273) by Ard VDL Douglas for €15,000. Home-bred, as was his dam and his grandam, the gelding is out of Erne Luxetta and from a string of notable jumpers.

A working hunter career now beckons for this upstanding sort, who was described by Hirst as “having bone and limb not often seen these days”.

Three-year-olds

The age group have been slow to make an impact this autumn and, while buyers were still selective, Friday’s sale produced a steady flow of respectable returns.

In comparison to recent sales, there was a lively buzz around the ringside, which remained full from start to finish. Sale topper aside, the returns averaged at around €4,275 and among the eye-catchers was Rory Finnerty’s home-bred filly Emerald Action (Lot 425).

From the close family of Swift Action (1.45m) and All Action (1.50m), the filly was the subject of yet another drawn out bidding war, before the hammer finally fell at €16,500 in favour of Co Limerick man Donal Hayes.

Better known these days as a National Hunt pin hooker, Hayes still retains his love of the sport horse and plans to produce this smart filly in the age classes next year. Well-related, she is a daughter of Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Diamond Society Clover (Boherdeal Clover).

“I came especially to try to buy her,” he said afterwards. “I saw the videos online, loved the step and jump.” Her Co Wicklow vendor explained that the filly was only being sold as his show jumping son, Mark Finnerty, has moved to compete in America.

Lot 425 was sold for €16,500 at the Goresbridge October performance sale \ Sally Parkyn

Ponies

Delivering a raft of good returns, Tuesday’s pony sector was a good one. Illustrating significantly improved returns, the figures closed with a 73% clearance (53% in 2023) accompanied by an average of €4,480 (€3,670).

Boding well for the up and coming sale of jumping ponies, the top price of €10,600 went to Carnhill Coco (Lot 543) a five-year old by Woodfield Sammy out of Barrenhill Berta (Moores Clover). The winner of 34 SJI points to date, he is eligible for the age classes next season and was snapped up by pony trader Niall Daly.

Another to shine was Patrick Murphy’s Shirsheen Misty (Lot 6), a 148cm pony by Ballycapple Diamond Cruise (dam by Abbeyleix Owen). Sadly outgrown by the vendor’s son Jack, the six-year-old mare was knocked down at €8,600 to Jan Mortenson.

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