WEATHER affected an enormous number of events last weekend and the Connemara Pony Sales at Clifden was among them, although the effect was minimal and prices remained high with the top price of €11,000 just shy of that paid last year.

At the same sale last year, five lots sold for a five-figure sum, and the joint top lots went for €12,500 apiece.

They were Maecon Mira, a five-year-old gelding by Bohola Mirah who passed through the same sales ring as a foal in October 2018 when sold for €1,750. Kildromin Highlight by Carraig Eibhir was the other.

Comparing April to the 2024 season opener in February however, the top price was notably less than the €13,600 Patrick O’Gorman paid for Falcon Jack, a six-year-old 148cm grey gelding by Ice and Fire d’Albran out of Lady Kate.

Last weekend, the clearance rate, with 158 of the 202 ponies through the ring sold, was 78%, a little over that of the year previous, when 74% of the 186 through the ring were sold.

Online bids proved extremely strong - perhaps kept home by the storm - representing 45 of the sales. As usual, the UK represented the largest number of buyers outside Ireland, with 45 ponies on their way to new homes there. Successful bids also came from German (2) and Italian (1) buyers.

Ann de Courcy, manager of the sales, said: “Overall we were very pleased, with the weather that was forecast we had a lot of phone calls wondering if we would cancel, but the show must go on and so it did. We were delighted with the turnout, we lost a number of entries due to weather, but there was no shortage of buyers.

“One lady from Sweden came over on a research expedition to the sales, and another two from the US did the same. There were no French, but that may be down to it being a one-day sale. There were a number of new buyers from the UK, where clearly our social media marketing endeavours are paying off.

“As always, ponies that are broken and riding are the ones to beat. The passport delay situation has improved, but unfortunately we are still witholding cheques from some vendors who sold last October and that’s a shame. We hope it will continue to ease going forward.”

Sale topper

Ponies with mileage and experience proved the ones to beat, including the aforementioned sale topper, which was lot 196, Mosside Mystic Meg, an 11-year-old roan-grey 14.2hh Connemara cross mare by Gevaudan out of Leap Year Lass. With 116 SJI points to date, she was described by her consigner Aiden Smyth as jumping up to 1.10m and having been schooled over cross-country fences and having done working hunter classes. She was sold to sale regular Tiernan Gray.

Setting the bar high from the start of the day and the only other five-figure pony was the next-highest priced pony, lot 2, Donnacha Boy. This six-year-old 151cm grey gelding by Ross Fear Bui out of Cornavad Abby was consigned by Stephanie Moore and sold to Melissa Nemeth-Smyth from the UK for €10,200.

Lot 2 Donnacha Boy,was the first pony of the day, and the only full Connemara Pony to break the 10k barrier at the April sales, making €10,200 in the ring. Pictured here with Vivian Noone and Stephanie Moore \ Rynes Walker

Coming much later in the day was the third-highest priced pony, lot 181, Glencairn Melanie. This eight-year-old 143cm grey mare by Rosscon Abbey Tom Boy out of Melody girl was consigned by Justin Nesbitt and sold to Padraic Quinn for €9,200.

Lot 72, King Bunowen Castle Hen-o, a 12-year-old 148cm grey gelding by Dunloughan Troy out of Bunowen Castle Ellie was next highest priced. He was consigned by James Winterbotham and sold to Kieran O’Connor for €9,000.

Clifden local Emer McNamara rounded out the top five when she sold her pony, Cahernacole Joey, also for €9,000. This four-year-old 15.2hh grey gelding by Doire Mhianaigh Cascade out of Mad Bridie was described as being scopey with a very pleasing and genuine attitude and was bought by sale regular Patrick O’Gorman.

O’Gorman and his partner Hannah Taylor signed the dockets on 14 sales that day, including the next highest-priced pony, lot 120, which was Curraghaleen Furbo Fred, a four-year-old grey gelding by Nevins Ranger out of Furbo Rose, who went for €8,400. Consigned by Glenn Turley, this pony was described as broken and riding with hunting and jumping experience.

UK buyer Gabriela Di Salvatore-Bosshard signed over €8,100 for the well-related lot 51, Killuare Castle Lady May, a four-year-old 148cm dun mare by Grade A show jumping stallion Glencroft Go For Gold out of Cave Dawn.

John Harte showing Lot 73, Curraghleen Warrior outside at the Clifden Pony Sales last weekend \ Rynes Walker

Claire Ryan was one of two buyers to part with €8,000, her winning bid made on lot 62, Diamond Shadow, a hard-to-find 128cm four-year-old grey gelding by Lishmar Shadow out of Shannon Diamond. This pony has hunted with Galway Blazers, has been attending SJI shows and was described as a sweet all-rounder pony that should excel in any discipline.

The other pony to sell for €8,000 was lot 175, Logrea Rebel, a 2019 15hh grey gelding by Gloves Bobby out of Chinjoes Glory. He was consigned by Carla McDonagh and sold to Patrick O’Gorman. O’Gorman accounted for a number of other top-20 lots including: lot 104, Killer King a seven-year-old gelding by Rathmorragha Lark out of Richmond Queen (€7,800); lot 22, Ballycullane Beauty a 2019 mare by Bready Fear Dubh (€7,600); lot 24, Kilconicky Snow, a 2020 15.2hh grey gelding by Banks Timber (€7,400) and lot 215, Proudfoot, a dun draught type four-year-old gelding (€7,200).

Other buyers to go home with multiple lots were Gerty Tynan (22), Jason Sweeney (5), Bryan Dagg (6), Niall Daly (6) and Kieran O’Connor (7).

Entries are currently open for the May three-day sale scheduled for May 17th to 19th. Visit connemaraponysales.com for more information.