ALWAYS one of the best attended fixtures of the year, last Friday’s sale of Irish Draughts delivered a number of healthy prices, but struggled to make an impact overall.

Although the figures illustrated a marginal improvement from 12 months ago, the demand was patchy and especially in the foal sector. At the close of play, 58% (57% in 2023) of the 95 lots on offer changed hands, leading to an average of €2,106 in comparison to €1,983 last year.

Looking at the positives, there were, however, considerably more horses achieving over the €3,000 bench mark than 12 months ago, and among them was Tim Carey’s sale topper at €6,600.

Consigned by Carey’s Tullaghansleek Stud, and secured online by British customer Janet Patel, Timmys Gire (Lot 399) was a six-year-old mare by Fintan Himself out of Diamond Anne (Sir Rivie). Bred by Oliver Higgins, she is a well-related full-sister to the top in hand and ridden show horse, Fintans Delight and was sold in foal to Carey’s own exciting new RID stallion and major dressage winner, Steeped In Luck.

“He wouldn’t break eggs,” enthused Carey of his covering sire, who stands at the family-run stud, alongside three thoroughbred stallions, as well as the sport horse sire Another Pleasure and the Connemara Pony Gwennic de Goariva.

Fillies and mares dominated the better returns and, next in line at €4,800, was Thomas Ormond’s Cappa Lady Sylva (Lot 388), a three-year-old, Class 1 filly by Cappa Aristocrat out of Cappa Diamond Glide (Welcome Flagmount). Initially led out unsold, but later snapped up by Jimmy Geary, the filly is in foal to Moylough Legacy.

Good day

It was a good day at the office for Michael Doyle, whose two, three-year-old fillies realised €4,000 and €3,800 apiece. Topping the duo was the class 1 filly Knockdomney Blue Lady (Lot 401), a daughter of Windgap Blue out of Knockdomney Silver Moll (Fast Silver).

With breeding going back to Carrabawn View and Blue Henry, she caught the eye of British visitor Helen White, who commented afterwards: “I’m a great supporter of traditional breeding. I actually came to look at another filly, but preferred this one for the job I want her for. The idea is to cover her with a thoroughbred, with the view of breeding a sport horse. She was very correct, which is important to me, as is her lovely temperament.”

Completing Doyle’s successful journey to Cavan, the similarly aged Maheramore Becky, by Carrickcottage Star out of Maheramore Bell (Ballineen Its William) was knocked down to Ciara Hurley for €3,800.

A further two fillies also changed hands at €3,800, namely James Ryan’s two year-old Cronovone Princess (Lot 377) by Ceide Prince, and Dennis O’Brien’s home-bred three-year-old Ballywire Silver (Lot 394) by Fast Silver.

Modest

The foal prices were modest in comparison, but selling well at €3,400 was John Bracken’s unnamed filly foal (Lot 324a) by Heigh Ho Dubh out of Cornskye Hatties Favourite (Scrapman). From a performance family, and showing good athleticism, she was snapped up by Seamus O’Connor.

Disappointingly for breeders, only another five foals realised in excess of €2,000. With this in mind, it was interesting to hear the views of sale topping vendor and industry pundit Tim Carey, who was led to comment: “I thought the standard of foals here today was as poor as I’ve seen for a long time – and this, I think, is because the standard of stallions being passed in recent times is also very, very poor.”

Food for thought indeed.

Top returns

Tullaghansleek Stud’s Timmys Gire, 5 year-old mare by Fintan Himself (dam by Sir Rivie) €6,600.

Thomas Ormond’s Cappa Lady Sylva, 3 year-old filly by Cappa Aristocrat (dam by Welcome Flagmount) €4,800.

Michael Doyle’s Knockdomney Blue Lady, 3 year-old filly by Windgap Blue (dam by Fast Silver) €4,000.

James Ryan’s Cronovone Princess, 2 year-old filly by Ceide Prince (dam by Cream of Diamonds) €3,800.

Michael Doyle’s Maheramore Becky, 3 year-old filly by Carrickcottage Star (dam by Ballineen Its William) €3,800.