Michael Donohoe & Sons
Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.
Telephone: 0599775145
Fax 0599775541
Email: info@goresbridge.com
Web: www.irishhorse.com
Friday 6th December: Performance Sale.
Saturday 7th December: Broodmares, foals and yearlings.
Time: 10.30am
Total lots: Day One: 234 lots. Day Two: 93 lots
Top Lot 2023: Lisa McGinnity’s West House Spencer, 6 year-old gelding by Dunbeggan Grey Mist (dam by Witness Box) €10,000.
DRAWING the curtain on a highly successful sales’ year, the team at Goresbridge are due to host the final sport horse sale of 2024 next week. Running over two days, the edition will kick off with the usual performance sale and, making a welcome return to the calendar after an absence of several years, a broodmare, foal and yearling sale will take place on Saturday.
In his first year at the helm, Ed Donohoe has hit the ground running and, with a vastly increased catalogue, he will be hoping to conclude the season on a high.
Since taking over the business from his brother Martin, Donohoe together with his wife Siobhan, has introduced a variety of fresh initiatives and, in yet another new move, next week’s two-day catalogue includes a special sector for graded show jumping ponies.
This has drawn a creditable entry of 25 lots, while the remaining catalogue features a mix of proven and potential competition horses, as well as a large selection of experienced and fully warranted hunters.
In the final sessions of three and four-year-olds, there are some attractive pedigrees on offers, among which are progeny of the leading numerical sires, Vivant Van de Heffinck, Sligo Candy Boy, Tyson, and HHS Cornet.
Show jumping ponies
Lot 28 SNS Dollar Girl, reg 5 yo sk m 128cm. Opening with the smallest of the species, this fully warranted mare has clocked up 151 SJI points to date. An easy ride, she delivered a double clear round in the prestigious premier class at the Banner, and is thought an ideal candidate for the six and seven-year-old RDS qualifiers next year.
Lot 30 Jockeyhall Dress For Success, 4 yo gr f 148cm by Chacoa out of Jockeyhall Just Reward (Acambaro). Sport horse bred and measured with the SJI, this young pony was crowned the overall Young Irelander champion at Millstreet earlier this year. She is currently competing in 1m classes and, in recent weeks, has gained a total of 15 SJI points.
Lot 32 Barravalley Jacks Surprise, reg 7 yo dn g 137cm by Barravalley Jack out of Barravalley Lil (Edenmist Pride). Carrying an impressive 355 SJI points to date, Jack has competed at all the major shows in classes up to 1.10m. In addition, he hunted with the Duhallow Foxhounds last season.
Lot 47 The Chaser, reg 6 yo b g by Gladiator out of Lady Gane (Gerry Got Talent). Having competed in the 128cm six and seven-year-old class at the RDS last year - and eligible again next season - this young pony has a career total of 115 SJI points. Described as straightforward, he has also schooled across country.
Hunters and All-Rounders
Lot 56 Seabanks Clarks Little Girl, reg 7 yo gr m 16.1hh by Crosstown Pride out of Kilmashogue Miracle. An ideal mother and daughter share, this fully warranted, quiet mare has hunted with the Conna Harriers and Golden Vale hounds for four seasons.
Lot 75 Harvey, reg 7 yo b g 160cm. A useful sort with plenty of mileage, this gelding has competed in shows, has taken part in pony club activities and evented. In addition, he is well-hunted, having followed the Bray and South County Dublin hounds for the past three seasons.
Lot 79 Curraghleen Rose, reg 8yo sk m 15.3hh. Fully warranted, this smart cob has done it all. She has hunted with the Donegal Harriers for two seasons, has attended pony club and competed in training shows. Described as a mare with manners to burn and one to relax on and enjoy.
Older competition stock
Lot 85 Lenamore Bon Vivant, reg 5 yo b g 17hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of Lenamore Charlotte (HHS Brother Charlton). A well-balanced individual with 13 SJI points to date, this gelding has competed to 1.10m level. He has proved brave when schooling across country, and has hunted.
Lot 87 Sweet Irish Cailin, reg 5 yo b m 16.1hh by Sligo Candy Boy out of Its I’m Irish (Kings Master). Suitable to either show jump or event, this warranted mare is the winner of 37 SJI points. A competitive individual, she has schooled cross-country, where she proved both brave and careful.
Lot 90 MC Lisselton, reg 7 yo b m 16.1hh by KEC Maximum Joe out of Newline Cruise (Radolin). Suitable for a competitive young rider, this scopey mare has a career total of 195 SJI points won in classes up to 1.30m.
Lot 111 Highview Automatic, reg 5 yo ch g 16.3hh by OBOS Quality out of FS Hilary (Aldatus). One for the showmen, this high-class gelding has won middle weight hunter classes and a supreme championship. Having a big, athletic jump, he is thought to have the ability to make a top working hunter prospect. Slowly produced, but still green, he is not suitable for a novice and only being sold to dissolve a partnership.
Four-year-olds
Lot 127 DHF Vector, reg 4 yo b g by Untouchable 27 out of Rosie Bee (Lux Z). Lightly competed under SJI rules, this well-related gelding is a half-brother to DHF Alliance (1.50m), while his Grade A dam jumped up to 1.40m.
Lot 144 Percy, reg 4 yo gr g 167cm by Untouchable 27 out of Zanette (Nassau). Currently showing promise in training shows, this well-bred gelding is out of a half-sister to the American-based jumper Cooper (1.60m), as well as several more graded performers.
Three-year-olds
Lot 162 Unnamed, reg 3 yo gr f 16.1hh by Chelis HC Z out of Sillot Sea Beauty (Cruising). A likely breeding prospect and featuring Cruising as the damsire, this filly is a sibling to LCC Saphire (1.55m).
Lot 168 Balief Time, reg 3 yo b g 160cm by Quality Time out of HHS All Diamond (Aldato). From a prolific competition family, this show jumping/event-bred gelding is out of a grade B jumping mare. He is a half-brother to the American-based event horse MBF Balief and Balief Capri (1.20m), while adding significant depth, the second dam is the top mare Craven A (1.50m), who also bred Clover Z (1.50m) and is immediately related to Double O Seven (1.60m).
Lot 171 Kilcoltrim Imperius, reg 3 yo ch g 16.2hh by Komme Casall out of Cavimperius (Cavalier Royale). From a recognisable family, this gelding is a half-brother to the British Nations Cup horse and Hickstead Derby specialist A Touch Imperious (1.60m), as well as to Kilcoltrim Blue.
Lot 203 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16.1hh by HHS Cornet out of Zantus (Aldatus Z). Bred in the purple with bloodlines going back to Sky Boy, this gelding is a half-brother to a number of three-day event horses, including the Gemma Stevens-ridden Santiago Bay (CCI5*) and Santiago Steppe.
Lot 234 Ogue Ace, reg 3 yo bl g 16.2hh by I’m Special de Muze out of Ogue Luil (Eurocommerce Pittsburgh). A home-bred half-brother to the event horse Ogue Verdi (CCI3*), while the dam is a half-sister to Ballinasillogue Cavalier, who represented Ireland in Le Lion d’Angers.
SATURDAY
Broodmares
Lot 315 BE Calido, reg 11 yo b m 17hh by Calido out of Melissa 11 (Coriano). One of 14 mares catalogued, this mare competed to 1.20m and is in foal to the proven performance sire Der Senaat III.
Foals and Yearlings
Lot 308 Stonepark Morning Champagne, reg 1 yo gr f by Barely A Moment out of Stonepark Mist (Castlegar Fingrove). A traditionally bred, potential show filly, who was placed second at the RDS last year. Carrying Clover Hill lines, the dam was the highest graded mare in 2019 and is a sibling to Miss Molly Malone (1.35m).
Lot 328 Unnamed, reg gr c f by I’mnotafraidfortunas out of Fados Eve (Kings Master). A big, athletic colt, whose full-brother realised €20,000 at the Go For Gold sale three weeks ago. Other maternal relations include Killossery Kelly (CCI3*) and Just The Ticket (CCI3*), as well as Shannondale Tia (1.20m) and Kilfarissey To Rome (1.30m).
Lot 345 FSH Phenomenal, reg b c f by Chacco Blue out of Elandra (Coconut Grove). Already a sibling of two horses at 1.20m level and bearing a world-class pedigree, this colt is out of a thoroughbred-sired sister to Ben Maher’s World Cup performer Don Vito (1.60m), the James Billington-partnered stallion Baltic VDL (1.60m), Zilver Pomme (1.50m) and Tilandra, dam of Erdento Van De Leeuwerk (1.50m).
Lot 355 Unnamed, reg b c f by Lagans OBOS Quality out of She’s Diaz (Diamond Roller). From a proven event damline, this colt is out of a full-sister to the Kim Severson ridden Cooley Cross Border (CCI5*) and to the British-based Midnight Rollercoaster (CCI4*).
Lot 363 CSF Harmony, reg ro f f by Dorian Grey out of CSF Isabella (Harley VDL). Born at the end of June and from a young family, this filly is out of a sibling to the smart seven-year-old CSF Ballsbridge (1.30m) and from the immediate family of WCE Cruco (1.60m), WCE Falco (1.50m), the event horse Cooley Killaloe (CCI3*) and many others.
Lot 375 Cushinstown Special, reg b c f by Castlefield Conthargos out of Cavalier Cushinstown Cruis (Cavalier Royale). One of four catalogued by the sire and featuring both Cavalier Royale and Cruising in the maternal line, this colt is a sibling to prolific show winner and this year’s RDS four-year-old champion Solsboro Zeus. Enjoying a brilliant season, Zeus also won the titles at Tattersalls, Barnadown and Clonmel.
Lot 389 Unnamed, reg b c f by Conticco out of Glenaguile Megan (Olympic Lux). Well-related, this colt is out of a sibling to Liam O’Meara’s Grand Prix campaigner Big Dan du Rouet, as well as to the Brendan Murphy-ridden Could Be Anything (1.40m) and the Grade B campaigner Glenaguile View. Second dam is a half-sister to Sir Jim Jim.
Lot 390 Killaloe Something Special, reg b c f by HHS Cornet out of TJM Electric Blue (Plot Blue). A half-brother to Mullaghdrin Cadiz (1.10m), while the second dam is the top broodmare Sumas Sound of Music (1.45m), who has bred TJM Freestyler (1.40m) and Cooley Park Muze (1.30m and CCI3*).