THE opening day of the annual breeding stock sale at Goresbridge last week attracted a sizeable crowd, so it was disappointing to see such a low-key trade overall.

With only a few exceptions and by any standards, Thursday’s figures were modest (average €2,184) and demand was patchy (38%) and while the opening day is historically the weakest of the renewal, it was obviously hoped that the market would have been livelier. It also has to be noted that although the quality of the stock was questionable, the quality of the buyers was not.

However, with two days left to run and with the more fashionable pedigrees yet to make their mark, it will be surprising if trade does not improve significantly.

As expected, the better jumping pedigrees came to the forefront, and standing out among them was Lizzie Van Amerongen’s yearling filly (Lot 8) by last year’s sale-topping sire Zirocco Blue. One of 11 yearlings to change hands, this home-bred filly is the second foal out of the good international mare Clim Bim (1.60m), who was partnered by Cameron Hanley, Ger O’Neill and Vincent Byrne.

A reluctant sale due to Van Amerongen’s recent relocation, the filly was prepared by Tim Nuttall and looked well bought by John Kearney at the day’s best price of €8,000. “I spotted her in the catalogue and came especially to try to buy her,” commented the Co Wexford buyer.

“I knew the dam when she was jumping, and thought she was a very, very good mare. Ger (O’Neill) spoke very highly of her, and of course she is also by one of the best sires in the world. I think this is a very nice, rangy filly with a good walk - and who knows but she has a chance of being a good one.”

Emergence of ESI Indigo

While Zirocco Blue needs no introduction it was interesting to see the emergence of the young stallion ESI Indigo among the sale-toppers. Appearing twice in the top five from only three recorded progeny, ESI Indigo, by Dakar VDL (out of ESI Paris, by Guidam), was approved by HSI last year having gained an exceptionally high rating.

Only a five-year-old and standing with his breeder Andrew Hughes at Ennisnag Stud, he embarked on his jumping career this season.

Both Indigo-sired lots were consigned by Aonghus Loughran from Co Meath, and at €5,500 his best return fell to a colt (Lot 124) out of the young mare Cruise Cavalier, by Cavalier Royale (not Guidam as catalogued). A very smart mover and with an abundance of presence, she was eventually secured by the determined Brandon View Stud on behalf of showman Dessie Gibson.

“He had an amazing step and elegance,” remarked Gibson. “Hopefully he will go to the UK as a show horse, but if not, he’ll make a lovely event horse.”

Aonghus Loughran’s day had started well when his first foal through the ring realised €3,800. Another colt by ESI Indigo (Lot 107), this time out of Crudam (by Guidam and not as catalogued), he was a close relation to his later lot and looked well bought by pinhooker and producer Thomas Quigley.

Earlier in the day Marie McManus, together with her daughter Tessa, offered an attractive filly (Lot 65) by SEIC Livello out of Clan Lulu (Luidam). The second foal, she is out of a half-sister to Clann Lux Imp (1.45m), a former junior European team member for Holland, and currently competing in Sweden. McManus, who is a stalwart of Moate Show, is retiring from breeding and with grandchildren now competing, is now concentrating on ponies.

Pinhooker and producer Noel Ryan snapped up this smart sort at €4,800, commenting: “I liked the breeding on both sides of the pedigree, and thought she looked to have a really easy temperament. I will store her on to produce.”

Traditionalists

Flying the flag for the traditionalists and posting a good result for his first-season sire was Mary Carroll’s colt (Lot 123), by the Slyguff Stud’s latest resident and RDS Croker Cup winner Gibeon.

A real eye-catcher, he was the subject of quite a tussle before being secured by Chris and Sue Ryan at €3,900. “He’s lovely traditionally bred colt, with a great walk and by an exciting new sire,” said Ryan afterwards. This colt is out of the Irish Draught sired mare Killedmond Diamond (Kiltealy Silver) who is back in foal to Gibeon.

Renowned breeder Marily Power had a mixed day at the office, but did sell her filly Sumas Parribis (Lot 125) for €3,200. The American-based show jumper Richie Moloney accounted for this well-related filly, who is by Carrabis Z, the stallion he rode to 1.60m level, and is out of RVS Paris (Pullux de Muze) and from the family of several notable performers.

Sue Ryan was busy throughout, and earlier in the proceedings paid €2,800 for a Democrat-sired colt (Lot 36) who, as a winner of the Northern Region eventing foal championship, has qualified for the HSI foal championship at Cavan next week.

This looked a good buy, as did her later purchase of another traditionally bred colt (Lot 118) by the Connemara stallion Pumpkin Pondi out of the French Buffet sired dam Westwick Girl at €2,700.

The appetite for broodmares was also watery, as several well-related, in-foal young mares were led out unsold. The top price in this category was €2,800 for Clone Babalou (Lot 28) a five-year-old mare by Balou de Rouet out of Clone Ark (Coevers Diamond Boy) who was secured by the American-based Corleyhill Farms.

A full report for the remaining two days will be published next week.

TOP RETURNS

Elizabeth Amerongen’s yearling filly by Zirocco Blue (dam by Cassis) €8,000.

Aonghus Loughran’s colt foal by ESI Indigo (dam by Cavalier Royale) €5,500.

Marie McManus’s filly foal by SEIC Livello (dam by Luidam) €4,800.

Mary Carroll’s coly foal by Gibeon (dam by Kiltealy Silver) €3,900.