RUNNING in conjunction with next week’s international horse trials, and staged during a Gala Dinner on Thursday evening, is a select event horse sale, hosted jointly by Tattersalls and Goresbridge sales. This is the second renewal of this amalgamated fixture, which was originally founded by Goresbridge and first held in Co Kilkenny in 2016.
The intentionally concentrated catalogue of just 16 lots, was whittled down from a much larger pool, and chosen by the multi-medal-winning British event rider Karen Dixon, together with Go For Gold selector Sally Parkyn.
Although in its infancy, the sale has been a lucky one for graduates, many of whom have already made their mark on the international stage. Notably, the Piggy French-ridden Emerald Jonny was runner-up in the world six-year-old championships in Le Lion d’Angers last year, while on home turf, Camilla Speirs recently piloted Martins Masterpiece into third spot in the CCI2* at Ballindenisk.
At €49,000, last year’s top priced lot, Master Class Ramiro, has already successfully embarked on his career under Britain's Oliver Townend, and has been placed in his first two outings under rules.
Strong selection
This year’s catalogue, which offers just two five-year-olds, 14 four-years-olds including one filly, has a broad mix of pedigrees. There are some strong performance lines on the maternal side, and standing out among them are:
Lot 2 Versified, reg 5yo g 16.1hh by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (dam by Ramiro B). Featuring the highly commercial Ramiro B as the maternal sire, this home-bred prospect has already clocked up around 17 SJI points. Bred to perform, he is a half-brother to Barnadown B Lucky (CCI2*) while his dam is a full-sister to the Philip Dutton-ridden Fernhill Fugitive (CC!5*).
Lot 3 Unnamed, reg 4yo b g 16.2hh by Insatiable (dam by White Clover). One of three in the catalogue by a thoroughbred sire, and featuring Clover Hill in the dam’s line, this gelding is a smart performer. His dam is a half-sister to Mullentine Be Mine (CIC*) and from the family of Corgary Heres (CCI*).
Lot 4 Dobby, reg 4yo gr g 16.2hh by Diacontinus (dam by Starlight). One of the eye-catchers is this extravagant-moving gelding, who has a jump to match. Slowly produced, his dam is a sibling to numerous graded show jumpers.
Lot 5, Future Sky, reg 4yo bl g 16.2hh by Future Trend (dam by Chillout). With a pedigree hailing back to Sky Boy, this elegant horse is very well related. He has competed in training shows and is from the maternal family the German-ridden event horse Twinkle Bee (CCI4*), Willinga Park Cooley (CCI4*), Annaley Courage (SJ 1.60m) and numerous others.
Lot 8 Unnamed, reg 4yo ch g 16.2hh by Pointilliste (dam by Coolcorran Cool Diamond). A home-bred, by last year’s top selling thoroughbred sire, this traditionally bred gelding is out of the smart event mare Diamond Fleck (CCI2*). He is a full-brother to the highly rated youngster Diamond Pointe (CIC1*) and from the family of Hyjak and Baron.
Lot 11 SM Evans, reg 4yo br g 16.2hh by Elvis Ter Putte (dam by Nabab du Reve). Bred in the purple, this classy, good-moving gelding is out of the outstanding jumping mare Vici Van’t Plutonia Hof (CSI4* 1.60m) and is a sibling to Dauphine De Muze (CSI5* 1.60m) and Duchess De La Pomme (1.60m).