THE sales’ year opened in an extraordinary fashion at Cavan this week, where Wednesday’s one-day fixture produced a phenomenal trade.

The ponies set the ball rolling with a string of five-figure prices, leading to a trend which followed throughout the day. At the close of play, 11 lots smashed the €10,000 mark, while the final figures revealed a 94% clearance, together with an unprecedented average of €6,708.

The common denominator for the successful lots was temperament and production. Certainly, in the older horse sector age was no barrier, while in the pony division it was production and potential that were the key.

Reflecting on the day, an ebullient Stuart Clarke commented: “The whole of last year trade came up well and it now looks as though it’s going to hold on. It was a fantastic day, and we will make the most of it. The breeders and producers deserve it – they’ve had some tough years.”

Sale-topper

Carrying many of the winning ingredients was Sarah Jane Reynolds’s sale-topping pony Hillswood Boy (Lot 27) who changing hands for a mighty €21,000. Sourced last year, and well produced by Sarah Jane, the five-year-old 148cms gelding is by Royale Cruise out of the unrecorded Lavally Lady.

Bred by Niall Boyle, he had been lightly competed in a broad range of disciplines, and according to Sarah Jane’s father, David Reynolds, “was a sort very hard to find”. Reynolds also revealed that there had been considerable interest in the pony prior to sale, but that he was determined to take his chance in the ring.

“It was a great price – but then again he had everything going for him,” he commented. “There was something special about him, and he has a jump you don’t see very often. It takes time to produce a pony like that but Sarah Jane is now out of the pony ranks – and he will be hard to replace.”

The successful buyer was Bob Sweeney of the Ballina-based B. Sweeney Equine Ltd, who in fact accounted for all three of top-priced ponies. Sweeney is also generous sponsor in the pony jumping ranks and speaking to The Irish Field, he explained: “Although I buy to sell on, I buy for myself initially and look for customers afterwards. I really liked those three ponies, especially this one. I was however surprised at the prices - they were very dear indeed.”

Nathalie O'Shea's Killerisk Solo (Lot 15) fetched €12,500 at Cavan Equestrian Sales on Wednesday when bought by Bob Sweeney \ Cavan EC

Older stock

The major honours in the older sector fell to experienced, quiet horses suitable for amateurs. The demand for these appeared insatiable, and none more so than for Diarmuid Ryan’s Dartans First Lady (Lot 39) who realised a healthy €17,000. The 14-year-old daughter of Young Carrabawn, bred by Christopher Whelan, stood just 158 cms, but had a wealth of competitive mileage under her belt. A catalogue pick on paper and fully warranted, she was described as an impeccably mannered, quiet ride.

Successful in working hunter classes, she was placed fourth in the 1.20m intermediate class at HOYS back in 2016, and had also qualified for the IPC festival in pure dressage.

“She was exactly as she was described,” remarked her Graiguenamanagh-based vendor, who had owned her for only a few months. “She was an easy ride and very well produced. I had her on the market at €7,400 but lucky for me two people really wanted her, and got stuck in to buy her. It was a great start to the season.”

Equally delighted was her south of England buyer Charlotte Williams, who, having previously bought online, was making her first trip to Cavan in person. “I was looking for an experienced horse for my 14-year-old daughter, and having seen the video she seemed to tick all the boxes,” she explained. “We came to buy her whatever the cost, and when we saw the amount of interest in her at the sale the price didn’t surprise us.”

Another buyer prepared to go the extra mile, but struggling to fill his order book, was Yorkshire-based trader Graham Sugden. Accompanied by Katie Summerfield, Sugden had to go to €11,700 for Rhiannon Burton’s SFH Golden Moment (Lot 86), a five-year-old traditionally bred dun gelding by Barely A Moment out of Lisrore Cashel Bay (Moy Haze Cove).

Another pre-sale pick, this attractively Connemara/thoroughbred cross was bred by Simon Ryan, had evented at EI 90 level, and was quiet in all respects. “We knew he would be expensive, but trade is very good in England at the moment, so we are confident he will sell on well,” said Summerfield, while Sugden added: “We would have liked to have bought more, but the prices were very strong, and unfortunately X-rays are now such a big factor – which is silly as you try to buy the horse not the X-rays.”

With several lots forward, Keith Wilson had a busy day at the office, and did well when his 12-year-old Valleyfield Lady (Lot 41) was sold online at €11,100 to Worcestershire buyer Jane Organ. A few lots later, Michael Coulters’s six-year-old Vicarstown Firefly (Lot 63) also made five figures when he was knocked down to trader Tiernan Gray at €10,800.

Patrick O'Looney's Birchill All Star (Lot 29) sold for €15,500 at Cavan EC \ Cavan EC

A further four lots realised €10,000 apiece, among which was Brian Kelly’s 10-year-old eventing winner Libertatem (Frankfort Boy x Kildalton King) and Alex Donohoe’s Model County Captivate (Lot 94) by Chacoa, a five-year-old winner of a ridden hunter championship and dressage competitions. Trader Amy Dunbar snapped up the former, leaving James White to secure the latter.

Four-year-olds

While standing up well and delivering a solid enough trade, the four-year-old prices were modest in comparison. Just one realised €10,000 and this fell to Eoin Horgan’s Slanelough Legacy (Lot 100), a well-related gelding by the Drumhowan Stud’s popular Cormint out of Slanelough Sharona (Ulysses M2s). Secured by regular buyer Amy Dunbar, he was bred by Jennifer Joynt out of a full sister to the former Jonathan Gordon ride Slanelough Ultimatum (1.50m).

Next in line was Edengrove Enterprise’s purchase of a grey gelding by Echo King (dam by Dunkerrin Grey Mist) at €8,800, while Kieran Morrin’s CCS Dance Monkey by Keamore Diamond Clover (dam by Colourfield) looked well bought at €8,300.

Ponies

In a sector which was notable for recording 100% clearance, Bob Sweeney proved unstoppable. Aside from the top lot, he signed for Patrick O’Looney’s Birchill All Star (Lot 29) at €15,500 and Nathalie O’Shea’s Killerisk Solo (Lot 15) at €12,500.

Both were five-year-olds in the 138cms height group, with the former being a Connemara by Silver Shadow out of Be My Star (Monaghanstown Fionn), while the latter had no breeding recorded.