OCTOBER has been a busy month for the team at Goresbridge, and following the foal renewals and the select performance showcase, the focus now turns to a three-day sale of sport horses.

This will be the final fixture of the year at the Co Kilkenny complex and, with the Go For Gold sale in Co Wexford yet to come, hope are high for a strong conclusion.

The catalogue is numerically lighter than it was 12 months ago, but remaining over three days, is a stout one. Featuring among the older stock on day one are a wealth of proven competition horses and hunters, while Thursday’s session of four-year-olds also looks attractive.

It is the younger age group that really stands out however, with contemporary pedigrees coming to the fore. Among these is a close maternal relation to the recent HOYS puissance winner Bishops Quarter, while another eye-catcher is Rossmount Elvis, an Elvis Ter Putte sired half-sister to two of this season’s most promising young jumpers, Gliding Light and Philly Fogarty.

The stallion list is more diverse than usual, and while the leader Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet has 10 lots on offer, there are others clustering strongly. Sligo Candy Boy is also prominent with nine lots forward, while the Coolballyshan residents Vivant Van de Heffinck (8), OBOS Quality (7) and Lagans OBOS Quality (7) also hold a strong hand.

Ponies

Lot 12 Rulahisu Rooney, reg 4 yo b f 148cms by Cullintra Bonfire out of Ruby Rebel (Diamond Mine). One for the future could be this filly who was placed runner-up in the All Ireland filly loose jumping competition last year. Now broken, she has competed in training shows, and has had one affiliated outing.

Lot 17 Little Miss Sparkle, reg 6 yo gr m 13.2hh. One from the intermediate height group and described as a great all-rounder, this mare is the winner of six SJI points to date. Fully warranted, she has also hunted with the Woodstown Harriers for one full season, and taken part in hunter trials.

Competition Horses

Lot 30 RNG Poldark Rising Star, reg 5 yo b g by Z Wellie 72 out of Midlands Rising Star (Young Farhaan). The winner of 35 SJI points to date, this young prospect has competed to 1.20m level. He contested his age classes both last year and this, and he is now ready to produce further.

Lot 53 Carrowgar Heraldo, reg 5 yo g 16.3hh by Herald III out of Equine Connect Monchie (Flagmount King). Described as an up-and-coming event horse and carrying 64% thoroughbred blood, this gelding competed in the Try Eventing series this summer. He was also lightly hunted with the Limerick Harriers last season, and is a full brother to 2019 RDS Supreme Champion young horse Carrowgar Herald.

Lot 69 Je T’Aime Le Fantome, reg 10 yo ch g 168cms by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of Monique Diamond (Coevers Diamond Boy). This sad sale of a fully warranted performer is due to family circumstances. Having been in the same home since a three-year-old, this experienced gelding has a career total of 153 SJI points won in classes up to 1.20m level and has also hunted with the Donegal Harriers.

Lot 77 Annyalla Silverado, reg 5 yo bl g 16.2hh by Diarado out of Annyalla Good Relations (Harlequin du Carel). A beautifully bred gelding whose dam is a half-sister to the American-based 1.60m performer Judge N Jury (aka HS Memphis) and to the British Nations Cup-winning jumper Santa Cruise (1.60m). Second dam is by Cruising.

Lot 85 Ballybeg Porter, reg 5 yo b g 16.2hh by Dilshaan out of Ghareebs Porter (Porter Rhodes). A traditionally bred gelding, whose pedigree goes back to Sky Boy and Kildalton King, Porter carries 93% thoroughbred blood. Lightly hunted with the Shillelagh Foxhounds, he has just completed a full season’s eventing winning his first unaffiliated event in Lisgarvan. He has since competed up to pre-novice level under Eventing Ireland rules.

Lot 96 ASJ Ricochet, reg 5 yo b m 166cms by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of Legaland Courage Z (Courage II). The winner of 40 SJI points to date, this smartly bred mare is out of the useful Legaland Courage Z (Catherine Thornton) who was well placed in the age jumping classes, including the RDS, before retiring to stud.

Hunters

Lot 40 Joey, reg 12 yo b g 16.2hh. A fully warranted hunter and an easy ride, Joey has followed the Wexford Harriers for eight seasons and has competed in pony club activities.

Lot 62 Got The Call, reg 10 yo ch g 17 hands by Beowolf out of Give Me a Buzz (Harlequin du Carel). Got The Call has hunted with the Roscommon Harriers for three seasons. Forward going, he has carried the whipper-in and, thought ideal in that capacity, he is described as being superb over walls, wires, hedges and drains.

Lot 97 Moystown Diamond, reg 6 yo gr g 16.1hh by Furistos Diamond out of Moystown Honey (Olympic Lux). Moystown Diamond has hunted with the Duhallow Foxhounds for two seasons and can be ridden anywhere in the field. He has also evented in the Try Eventing series, proving to be snaffle mouthed in all phases.

Four-Year-Olds (Thursday)

Lot 125 ABS Earl, reg 4 yo b g 168cms by Martell out of Queen Bea (sire unrecorded). By the useful sire Martell, this gelding is a full-brother to the event horse Penhills Snap Dragon (CCI2*), the jumper Duke Of Tell (1.25m) and several other graded horses. He will have competed in training shows by the time of sale.

Lot 126 MBF Lagans Lulu, reg b f 16.2hh by Lagans OBOS Quality out of KEC Lulu (Lancelot). One from regular sale-topping consigners, this warranted filly rides well on flat and has competed at training shows.

Lot 138 Grantstown More Fusion, reg 4 yo dun f 16.1hh by Tullabeg Fusion out of Grantstown Hopeful (Robin du Pres). A home-bred bred dun, by the very popular event sire Tullabeg Fusion out of a thoroughbred mare, this filly has been slowly produced. Quiet in all respects, she has been schooled cross country and has been attending unaffiliated shows.

Lot 161 Gorsefield Northern Lights, reg 4 yo gr f 15hh by Monaghanstown Prince out of Aurora Sky (Golden Lariat). Carrying the popular Connemara/ thoroughbred cross, this filly could make a smart junior event prospect. Well-related, her dam evented under Eventing Ireland rules, while the second dam, Floating by Cruising, represented Ireland at the European Championships at both junior and young rider level.

Lot 164 Cornacrew Gunfire, reg 4 yo ch f 170 cms by CMS Gunfire out of Cornacrew Mist (Coronea Eagle). This warranted filly has already clocked up six SJI points in classes up to 1m. An easy filly to work with, she should excel in either discipline.

Lot 174 Happy Harry Hopscotch, reg 4 yo b g 16.3hh by Colandro out of Athas Mor Aris (Touchdown). Possibly the pick of the age group, this gelding competed in an eventing league in the spring, and qualified for the eventing Discovery final at Millstreet. He is the winner of 14 SJI points to date, and is now ready to step up to 1.10m level. Having enjoyed a well-rounded education, he is currently autumn hunting and a good prospect for a professional rider or amateur.

Three-Year-Olds (Friday)

Lot 212 Lisdara Lamar, reg 3 yo ch g 16.2hh by Mermus R out of Lisdara Twitter (Touchdown). From a strong performing family, this gelding is a half-brother to Lisdara Clooney (Gemma Phelan), placed sixth in Cruising final at the RDS this year. The dam is full sister to the hugely consistent George (1.45/1.50m), ridden by Kenneth Graham, winner of the Millstreet Grand Prix in 2019. Also, from the direct maternal line to Conc Na Seomre (1.60m) and the renowned Hickstead Speed Derby specialist Castlepollard.

Lot 222 Assagart Captain, reg 3 yo ch g 16.1hh by Clonaslee Capatin out of Nordic Dream (Nordic Brave). This traditionally bred gelding was placed in the Young Event Championship at the RDS this summer. He is a half-brother to the Oliver Townend-partnered event horse Power Drive (CCI3*) and to the jumper Turkyle Belle (1.35m). From a versatile family, he is also a half-sibling to the Grand Prix dressage horse Assagart Reason.

Lot 226 Shannondale Matteo, reg 3 yo bl g 16.1hh by Lucarelli out of Shannondale Mackenna (Shannondale Sarco). By the highly rated thoroughbred sire Lucarelli, this gelding carries a stout and up to date pedigree. His dam jumped to 1.30m level, and is a full sister to Shannondale Icarus (CCI4*), Shannondale Mel (CCI3*) and to Shannondale Levi, recent winner of the coveted Michael Leonard young horse championship at Ballindenisk. Also, a half-sister to the international jumper Lux Harmony (1.45m) and others. Combining blood and scope, this gelding could appeal to buyers from either sphere.

Lot 261 Tomgar Freestyle, reg 3 yo gr g 17hh by Freestyle Van De Wolfsakker out of Ballydunne Coevers (Coevers Diamond Boy). Topically bred, the dam is a half-sister to the recent HOYS puissance victor, Bishops Quarter (Comm. Geoff Curran), and BP St Patrick (1.15m).

Lot 265 Rossmount Elvis, reg 3 yo lch f 168cms by Elvis Ter Putte out of Rosgreen Queen (Harlequin du Carel). Dam has bred Gliding Light (Sarah Connell), placed fourth in the HSI seven-year-old finals this summer, as well as Philly Fogarty who headed the first round of the five-year-olds at the RDS this year in August.

Lot 269 BP Wonderwall, reg 3 yo b g 164cms by Luidam out of BP Flight (Ars Vivendi). Hailing from the instantly recognisable Going Global pedigree, the second dam, Ballypatrick Flight, competed to 1.50m and is from the family line of BP Limitless, winner of the Breeders Classic.

Lot 304 reg 3 yo b g 168cms by HHS Cornet out of Lady Luisa (Royale Concorde). Featuring a smart eventing pedigree, the dam is a half-sister to Capital T (CCI3*) and to the Izzy Taylor-ridden Barrington 57 (CCI3*) who has been selected to represent Great Britain at Le Lion D’Angers this weekend.

Michael Donohoe and Sons

Address: Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.

Telephone: 059-9775145

Fax: 059-9775541

Email: info@goresbridge.com

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Date: 26/27/28th October 2022

Time: 11am. Wednesday: Ponies (22) and older horses.

Thursday: Four-year-olds.

Friday: Three-year-olds.

Total lots: 358

Last year’s top lot: Katy O’Dea’s RRS Joe, three-year-old gelding by Lancelot (dam by Colin Diamond) €17,000.