FOR the second year in-a-row, husband and wife duo Meabh Bolger and Brian Flynn, alongside Jason Higgins, consigned the sale topping lot at the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale, held at the Amber Springs Hotel in Co Wexford last night after two viewing days at Barnadown Showjumping.

The sale topper at €65,000 was Lot 60, the three-year-old bay gelding MBF Bonfire Heart, by Castlecomer Q out of Ramirma (Damiro), who was bred by Higgins himself. Bidding opened at €5,000 and quickly jumped to €20,000 before going up in €10,000 increments to €60,000. After a tussle, he was eventually knocked down to UK-based Barratt Equestrian.

The three-year-olds undeniably attracted the most interest and two further lots were sold for €50,000 a piece on the night. The first of those was Lot 31, Monbeg Celtic Mist, home-bred by producers Marti Rudd and Tomas Doyle of Monbeg Sport Horses.

Out of the good 1.40m Ballycapple Mist (Boherdeal Clover) and by the popular young stallion Celtic Hero B Z, bidding rose in €2,000 increments until he was placed on the market at €40,000 before being sold to UK-based event rider Fiona Kashel at €50,000.

Lot 31, Monbeg Celtic Mist, sold for €50,000 \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Rudd and Doyle were another happy husband and wife duo on the way back to their Enniscorthy base as it was another of their home-bred three-year-olds, Monbeg Raegan (Lot 48), who received the second €50,000 price tag. This one is by the Olympic show jumper Quabri de L’Isle out of OBOS Nancy Broome who has already produced numerous talented eventers.

The stunning bay gelding was placed on the market at €36,000 and from there, bidding continues in €1,000 increments until phone bidder Karla Wheatcroft had the final say at €50,000.

Top yard

Higgins Sporthorses and MBF Sporthorses teamed up once again on Lot 30, PLS Castlecomer Q, who is heading to the UK yard of Andrew Hoy having been purchased by his wife Stephanie for €47,000. The striking three-year-old gelding is by Castlecomer Q out of Fornet Roos (Cornet’s Stern).

The highest price tag for a four-year-old on the night fell to Lot 10, the Sligo Candy Boy-sired Doonaveeragh Candy, consigned to the sale by Jason Higgins in partnership with Alice Martin-Jones. This smart sort is out of Tullig Diamond Clover (Le One), who has already bred two-star performer Monarts Matisse, and is destined for the USA having been knocked down to Maura Tierney at €42,000.

Two lots later, a four-year-old filly by Jorado out of the well-related mare China Doll M2S (Wang Chung M2S) was sold to a phone bidder for €41,000. Three lots for sold for €40,000 on the night.

Don’t miss Margie McLoone’s full report with all the buyers and prices listed in Saturday’s The Irish Field.

All price provisional until confirmed by Goresbridge Horse Sales.

See list of prices here.