RUNNING over three full days, next week’s sale at Goresbridge offers a catalogue full of depth and quality. While the numerical content is slightly less than last year’s equivalent, the entry is strong and will appeal to buyers from all disciplines. Among those offered are a quantity of fully warranted hunters, competition horses and ponies, including half-brothers to the five-star event mares Sugar Brown Babe and China Doll, as well as the 1.50m jumper Freedam. In terms of pedigrees, the four-year-olds also hold up well, while Friday’s three-year-old session offers a sibling to last September’s sale-topper.

The stallion list is jointly headed by four popular sires, and with seven lots apiece these are the Co Wexford-based duo Cavalier Land and Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet, as well as Vivant Van De Heffinck and the thoroughbred Pointilliste.

Wednesday

Ponies

Lot 12 Glencroft Limited Edition, reg 11yo gr m 143cms by Dexter Lean Pondi out of Wildfire (Robin Hood). A fully warranted pony with 149 SJI points, this mare is described as an ideal conveyance to introduce a young rider to the sport and is sadly for sale due to lack of rider.

Lot 39 The Rebel Son, reg 5yo gr g 148 cms by Newtown Rebel out of Caoran Beg Realtin (Tulira Robuck). One for the future could be this Connemara who, fully warranted, has one SJI point to date and wide mileage at unaffiliated level. Well produced, and also registered with Eventing Ireland, he is now ready to progress his career.

Older horses

Lot 73 Sugar Cara, reg 5yo b m 17hh by Cara Touche out of Sugar Sweet (Porsch). This versatile individual was crowned Balmoral champion as a yearling. Since being broken, she has competed in several jumping series, including the Youngster Tour Ireland, the Balmoral four-year-old championship and was a Silver Tour finalist last year. She has now progressed to jump up to 1.10m and, fully warranted, has clocked up 17 SJI points to date.

Lot 95 Paddy Pepper, reg 7yo ch g 168cms by Kannan out of Carton Free (Cruising). Out of the grade A speed mare Carton Free (Alexander Butler), this well-bred gelding has a career total of 45 SJI points. He carries a good and consistent record, and qualified for the six-year-old class at the RDS last year.

Lot 98 Oakport Furisto’s Star, reg 5yo br g 16.1hh by Sirillio out of Warrenstown Betty (Furisto). By a good thoroughbred sire of event horses, this gelding hails from a family full of international performers. He is a half-brother to the Alan O’Regan-partnered Freedam (1.50m) and also to international event mare China Doll (CCI5*), ridden by James O’Haire. In addition, the dam is a half-sister to eventer Boleybawn Ave (4*level) and Boleybawn Cedric (three-star level) and from the same maternal line as Hallo Noble Girl who bred Fernhill Revelation.

Lot 103 Sugar Louis, reg 5yo b g 168cms by Luidam out of Sugar Cube (Renkum Englishman). One of the catalogue standouts, this smartly bred gelding is a half-brother to the five-star event horse, and Irish team member Sugar Brown Babe (Sarah Ennis). Also, to the RDS hunter champion Sugar Bob, the UK-based show horse Sugar Bella, and Sugar Bunnie (CCI2*).

Lot 109 Dolly, reg 13yo b m 15.1hh by Crannagh Hero out of Glege Rantis (Rantis Diamond). For those looking for a small, well-hunted campaigner or one to suit a parent/child partnership, Dolly could fit the bill. Guaranteed an easy ride and described as well mannered, she has hunted with the Kilmoganny Foxhounds for eight seasons. Boosting her credentials further, she is snaffle-mouthed, will jump any country, and can be ridden up front or quietly in the field.

Lot 110 Hillside Tyson, reg 5yo b g 16.1hh by Tyson out of Hillside de Reve (Hermes de Reve). Fully warranted in all respects, this young gelding is the winner of 50 SJI points to date. He qualified for the four-year-old class at Cavan last year and has qualified again for this year’s equivalent in September. Bred to perform, he is out of the grade A mare Hillside de Reve ridden by Olive Clarke.

Lot 133 I’ve Got De Muze, reg 6yo bl g 168cms by I’m Special de Muze out of Fados Eve (Kings Master). A versatile sort, this well-bred gelding is the winner of seven SJI points, and has hunted with the Westmeath Harrier. A half-brother to the jumper Inspector Imp (147 SJI points), and to the British-based event horse Ringwood Golden Touch, this good-looking horse is thought sure to go far in any equine discipline.

Thursday

Older horses

Lot 173 Unnamed, reg 7yo b g 17.3hh by Spirit House out of Megabelle (Cavalier Royale). One of a sizeable consignment offered by Smyth Sport Horses, this big gelding is well hunted. Fully warranted, he will cross any country and is described as ‘a gentleman with hounds’. A good looking individual, he has also competed at unaffiliated shows and working hunter classes.

Lot 197 Moystown Diamond, reg 6yo gr g 16.1hh by Furistos Diamond out of Moystown Honey (Olympic Lux). Another carrying the fully warranted tag, this gelding has followed the Duhallow hounds for two seasons. He can be ridden anywhere in the field, and a versatile sort, he has competed in Try Events.

Lot 211 Shruhaun Dancer, reg 10yo gr g 17.0hh by Ballybrack Diamond out of Kilcommon Lass (Grey Macha). This Irish Draught gelding is fully warranted and is a seasoned hunter. Carrying the Field-Master, he has hunted with the Kildare Foxhounds and the North Kildare Harriers, and has also competed at the Kildare Performance Hunter Show.

Four-year-olds

Lot 248 Clashgannon Dignity, reg 4yo bl f 168cms by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Imperial Miss (Master Imp). Having been broken in over the winter and quietly produced, this filly is out of an intermediate event mare. She is a half-sister to Nazar Imp, who was a finalist in the Young Event Horse championship at Lambertstown last year, and also to Clashgannon Betty, who qualified for the British four-year-old championship at Osberton.

Lot 256 Creevaghstables That’s Him, reg 4yo gr g 16.1hh by Rakish Ri out of Native Friend (Darnay). A traditionally bred thoroughbred-cross gelding, this youngster has competed at training shows and schooled cross-country. He is a half-brother to the British based five-year-old event horse Coney Cooley (Tom Rowland).

Lot 273 Unnamed, reg 4yo br g 16.1hh by Superior Premium out of Motorbower Trump (Golden Trump). A fully warranted, full brother to the British-based event horse Inception (CCI3*L).

Lot 280 MBF In The Making, reg 4yo ch g 16.2hh by Presidential Ball out of HHS Bianca (Beach Ball). Consigned by the regular sale-topping vendors MBF Sport Horses, this youngster has competed in training shows and schooled across country. Attractively bred by the Clinton-sired Presidential Ball and fully warranted, he could excel in either discipline.

Lot 298 Kilcannon Watervalley Dream, reg 4yo b g 16.1hh by Loughehoe Guy out of Watervalley Dawn Diamond (Glidawn Diamond). This traditionally bred gelding is a full brother to SBT Good Guy (CCI4*) and also to Kilcannon Watervalley Wizard (CCI3*). Carrying 72% thoroughbred blood, he has been slowly produced and is ready for the next stage of his career.

Friday

Three-year-olds

Lot 349 Goldsmithcounty Uluru, reg 3yo gr g 16.2hh by Denounce out of Tireagh Imperial Cruise (Cruising). Thoroughbred-sired, featuring Cruising as the dam’s sire and going back to Clover Hill, this gelding is a smart event prospect. The dam was lightly campaigned to 1.20m, and is a sibling to Ballyscandal (1.30m), Imperial Cruise (1.30m) and Ferro Royal (1.35m). The direct dam line also features Ballyoskill Big Bucks (1.50m).

Lot 358 Caraghs Van De Roller, reg 3yo b f 16hh by Vivant de Heffinck out of Caraghs Roller (High Roller). A commercially bred half-sister to the American-based event horse Shadow Inspector (CCI3*L) and to Caraghs Lucky Boy (CCI2*). Also, to the promising home-based young jumper GMH Ability (1.30m).

Lot 380 Unnamed, reg 3yo b g 16.2hh by Cavalier Land out of Frankfort Diamond (Frankfort Boy). By the popular event sire Cavalier Land, this attractively bred gelding is a half-brother to the international CCI4* event horse The Court Jester (Tim Price and Sammi Birch) while the second dam bred Kilpipe Jewel (CCI3*).

Lot 400 Cillbhrid Romeo, reg 3yo ro g 1.60cms by Clarimo out of Cillbhrid April (Lux Z). From a regular sale-topping breeder, this well-related gelding is a half-brother to last September’s sale-topper. From a good family, the dam was a top-10 finisher in the Mo Chroi championship at the RDS, and won the five-year-old Masters at Emerald. She also received the highest score at the HSI mare inspections in 2014, and is out of a three-parts sister to Baskin T Bear (1.60m) and other notable performers.

Lot 436 Ballymurphy Cillian, reg 3yo b g 16hh by Pointilliste out of Ballymurphy Clover Nellie (Clover Hill). For the traditionalists, this well-bred gelding is a full sister to the international event horse Ballymurphy Mark (CCI2*) and, more significantly, out of a full sister of Mrs. Quinn (1.60m) and Shannondale (1.60m).

Lot 447 Unnamed, reg 3yo b f 16.1hh by Vivant van de Heffinck out of Paddys Aldatus (Aldatus Z). A well-related sister to Paddys Queenie (1.30m) while the dam is a sister to KEC Pyjama Party (1.60m) and to KEC Phoenix (1.40m). The stout dam line also includes the additional 1.60m performers Lahorna Queen, Paddys Baby and Clover William.

Lot 457 Unnamed, reg 3yo gr g 164cms by Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet out of Bonmahon High Flyer (Bonmahon Decies). Hailing from a very old family, this gelding is a sibling to two graded jumpers. Adding real weight however, the dam is a half-sister to the international horse Jokers Girl (Clem McMahon), who jumped to 1.60m, and to Smart Thinking (1.60m).

Factfile

MICHAEL DONOHOE & SONS.

Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

Telephone: 059 9775145

Fax: 059 9775541

Email: info@goresbridge.com

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Date: July 6/7/8th 2022

Time: 11am.

Wednesday: Ponies (58) Older horses

Thursday: Older Horses and Four-year-olds.

Friday: Three-year-olds.

Total lots: 485 plus supplementary catalogue

Top Lot 2021. Mary Kehoe’s 3yo gelding by Cormint (dam by Courage) €18,000.