SOME 89 of the 91 pre-selected and catalogued foals appeared at Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre, Co Galway last Saturday for the largest collection yet of The Breeders’ Select Foal Sale Ireland (Edition 5), the now widely known and recognised event organised under the umbrella of The Irish Horse Centre, a marketing initiative powered by the Mayo Roscommon Breeders’ Group.

Director/Public Relations Officer Patrick Hester explained that the strategy for the sale is simple: “Clear and transparent foal selection, international marketing and promotion and sustain a loyal customer base is now delivering for both the breeders’ return on investment and for the market in terms of the correct foal product for show jumping and eventing.”

Sale-topper

Prior to the sale, an era of looming discontent had built up with the rumblings in the global markets of energy and economics yet quality foals and the consistency of selling 63 lots sold under the hammer, rewarded the committed, goal-orientated and focused breeders at the Glenamaddy venue.

Des McDonnell’s athletic bay colt by Jardonnay VDL (Lot 123) set the standard for ‘quality pays’ as the top-priced foal on the day, purchased by Tommy Gibbons on behalf of Oonagh Gilvary for €12,500. The impeccably turned out and produced son of the now gelded Jardonnay VDL, recently being sold to the USA, had been carefully selected by Des via online videos and recommendations from his close friend Barry Heffernan.

Des McDonnell commented: “I liked the stallion’s type, movement and overall athleticism which I thought complimented the mare as she covers a lot of ground herself and is from a great family line and this year’s foal has just exceeded all expectations. The sale (Edition 5) is now rewarding us for being focused towards breeding quality for the market and the sport.”

Commenting on Edition 5, McDonnell added: “The sale is so well marketed and has gone from strength to strength in recent years which is testament to the hard work put in by the committee but it’s the support of the sector both breeders and buyers that continues to make the sale so great.” Oonagh Gilvary also commented: “We are delighted with the quality of our purchase under the careful guidance of Tommy Gibbons and we look forward to its prospects in the future.”

Other headliners saw the top-priced filly on the day, Lot 162, Frank Cunningham’s Cornet Obolensky x Mermus R sell for €9,500 to Adrian Williams’ Sport Horses while the breeder of Lot 155, Tomas Hester received €9,000 for his athletic attractive filly by Aganix du Seigneur x Indoctro x Womaniser, bought by Kilkenny-based Shane Sinnott.

In line with the sales strategy ‘Sustain a loyal customer base’, Ballyward Equestrian accounted for nine of the well bought foals on the day which further cements the trust that is developing within the sale and links within the supply chain which has been built up by the founding members.

Young Horse Auction

Meanwhile, the group’s inaugural Young Horse Auction, achieved a top price of €15,000 for Maura Crowley’s RDS campaigner, the three-year-old mare by Jorado x Ringwood Harley Carol x Clover Hill (Lot 30) underwent competitive bidding to be knocked down to local equestrian centre operator Joan Fallon and will be later campaigned by her daughter Erin.

Yet again quality and the market met demand by both parties, however Edition 1 of this auction will require further reflection by the group as overall expectations for the sale were not achieved.

It will be back to the drawing board for Edition 2 with a refocus on the young horse selection criteria and a proposed Knowledge Transfer National event on linear scoring may also incorporate production training for breeders and producers.

Appreciation

Aside from the relentless drive of the key founders, brothers Mark and Patrick Hester, Noel Kilroy and John Murphy, without doubt the initiatives by the Mayo Roscommon Breeders’ Group would not be achieved without the support of the following individuals who work tirelessly on compiling the information for the catalogue, online platform and operations: Leo Larkin (Flatout Media Video Editing); Peter Van de Bulck at PWEB Solutions (Website); Anna Suess @aennies_wild_photography; Chloe Hester (Social Media); Sinéad Mallee (Graphic Design), Liz Murphy and Caroline Tunney (Operations and Hospitality), and all the Team at Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre and Galway VEC.

The IHC Market Place

To further support unsold young horses, foals and reserve foals from selection days, the group’s new initiative, The Irish Horse Centre ‘Market Place’, aims to facilitate year-round marketing and promotion of Irish Sport Horses, via the IHC Platform.

Key statistics

Top price: €12,500

Average: €5,675

Clearance: 68.5 %

Turnover: Edition 4 (€290.100), Edition 5 (€346.170)