IT is a busy time for sport horse producers and consigners and, with very little let up, the sales action resumes at Goresbridge on Wednesday.

As it has done in recent years, this flagship September renewal will run over six days spanning two weeks, with the ponies, older stock and four-year-olds featuring in week one.

Every sector appears to offer an attractive selection, especially in the older group among which are a variety of eventers and show jumpers, as well as a large number of proven hunters and leisure horses. This broad range of lots is reflected in the varied list of covering sires, which in week one is headed by the Kennedy Brothers’ Vivant Van De Heffinck.

This increasingly popular sire is represented by nine individuals, while also standing out are his late stable companion OBOS Quality (7), Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet (7) and Sligo Candy Boy (6). Lots heading for week two will be previewed next week.

Ponies

Lot 27 Lulu Princess, reg 9 yo gr m 138cms. An experienced campaigner from the intermediate height group, this mare has a total of 53 SJI points. A great all-rounder and well hunted, she embarked on her show jumping career this season, during which she has been placed both at Cavan and Millstreet.

Lot 32 Clongeen Larry, reg 5 yo b g 148cms. Although only five-years-old and one for the future, this fully warranted gelding has already hunted a full season with the Island Foxhounds, and has clocked up 10 SJI points.

Lot 33 Milchem Havana, reg 6 yo b m 14.2hh. Described as a very talented pony, Havana is the winner of 15 SJI points to date. She is well hunted and has won combined training competitions.

Older Horses - Competition Stock

Lot 52 AHG Whiterock Tir Na Nog, reg 5 yo b m 16.2hh by Kannan out of AG Whiterock Willpower (Cardento). Fully warranted, and one for competition and eventual paddock duties, this mare is the winner of 4 SJI points to date. Her dam is a half-sister to the junior European gold medallist AHG Whiterock Cruise Down as well as to the highly successful Whiterock Lucky Lady (1.50m) who was placed fourth in the Hickstead Derby.

Lot 77 Shanbo Sonas, reg 5 yo b m 16 hands by Alkaased out of Shanbo Happisfied (Kildalton King). This fully warranted home-bred mare has been quietly produced to have competed in hunter trials and training shows. Very well related, she is a half-sister to four international horses including the four-star Nations Cup event horses Shanbo Super Flex (CCI4*) and Shanbo Queen B. Also to Shanbo Skylark (top priced filly at the Go For Go Sale and CCI2*).

Lot 90 Lisdara Clooney, reg 7 yo ch g 16.1hh by Cruising Arish out of Lisdarra Twitter (Touchdown). This classy gelding is the winner of 74 SJI points to date and under Gemma Phelan was placed sixth in the Cruising final at the RDS last year. Very well related, his dam is a full-sister to the Millstreet Grand Prix winning George (1.50m). The second dam Solas Dubh is a full-sister to Cnoc na Comre (1.60m) while the third dam is a full-sister to the Hickstead Speed Derby specialist Castlepollard.

Lot 98 Drumiller Balto, reg 6 yo b m 168cms by Balou du Rouet out of Mullentine Cavalier Kate (Cavalier Royale). Another with a good SJI record, this mare has competed in classes up to 1.20m to win 118 SJI points. The winner of two classes at the Mullingar International Show, she is thought an ideal contender for the RDS young rider class next season.

Lot 100 Shanaclough Cassall, reg 5 yo b m 16.2hh by Ringwood Cassero out of Shanaclough Diamond Queen (Coevers Diamond Boy). Having evented this season, this fully warranted daughter of Cassero has competed in three EI 100 events delivering double clear rounds on each occasion. Guaranteed an easy ride, she is a sibling to Contadora (1.50m) while the dam is sister to four international horses, including the five-star event horse Shanaclough Crecora.

Lot 178 Tanglewood Joe Royale, reg 5 yo b g 16.3hh by Clarcon out of Royale Coevers (Coevers Diamond Boy). A very versatile individual, this gelding has successfully competed under EI rules (up to EI 100), as well as show jumped on the Youngsters Tour and in working hunter classes. Well related, and a sibling to Cooley In Time (1.45m), he is described as a brave horse with a good temperament.

Hunters and All Rounders

Lot 68, reg 11 yo b g 16.3hh by Creevagh Ferro Ex Siebe out of Vanir Remember Me (Ruffo). A proven hunter to suit either a gentleman or a lady, this experienced gelding has hunted with the Co Down stag hounds and South Tyrone foxhounds for numerous seasons. He has also competed in unaffiliated two-phase competitions and show jumped up to 1.10m.

Lot 76 Smoking Ace, reg 7 yo br g by Gerranmo out of Ghareebs Grove (Ghareeb). A seasoned and versatile hunter, this gelding will cross any type of country. He has also competed in unaffiliated show jumping classes, events and working hunters.

Lot 91 Unnamed, reg 6 yo b g 17hh by Cobra 18 out of Magheradrummond Rivie (Crosstown Dancer). Fully warranted, this super hunter has followed the Donegal Harriers for two seasons. Snaffle mouthed, he will cross any country both in front or behind.

Lot 103 Ruthstown Paudie, reg 6 yo ch g 15.3hh. For those looking for a smaller hunter, this smart, fully warranted cob has hunted with the North Kilkenny and Kilkenny Foxhounds for two seasons. Excellent with hounds, he has the potential to carry a huntsman, and as an excellent all-rounder has also competed in riding club activities.

Lot 153 LCS Time To Shine, reg 12 yo ch m 16.1hh by Huntingfield Ruler out of Doolans Vision (Classic Vision). Described as a ‘brilliant’ hunter, this fully warranted Irish Draught mare has been ridden by Field Master for the past three seasons. Snaffle mouthed, and able to cross any country first or last, she has also competed in the ID performance class at the RDS and has 13 SJI points.

Lot 167 AHW Hungry Eyes, reg 6 yo b m 16.1hh by Golden Master out of Kilconey Flight (Laughtons Flight). A very successful mount for a junior, this mare has competed in numerous events and training shows. She qualified for the pony club championships this summer and also won a class at the Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival.

Four-Year-Olds

Lot 192 Cornet Prince Z, reg 4 yo b g 168cms by Cornet’s Fire Z out of Karina (Wellington). A fully warranted youngster from a very good continental family, he is a sibling to the international performer Ziezo (1.50m) and a further four jumpers at either 1.45m or 1.40 level. The dam Karina, is also well related being a sister to two horses competing at 160m level.

Lot 208 Kinnego Glencorran Archie, reg 4 yo gr g 16.1hh by Glencorran Star out of Our Blade Kinnego (by unrecorded). This traditionally bred gelding was placed second in the working hunter class at Balmoral earlier this year, and having also attended training shows, he is suitable for any discipline.

Lot 214 Piltown Barbara, reg 4 yo b f 16.2hh by Pointilliste out of Unnamed (Cavalier Royale). By the popular event sire Pointilliste, this well-bred filly is showing great promise to event. She is a half-sister to the international event horse Piltown Harry (CCI4*), to the jumper I.Flex and also to the up and coming Renegade Cruising.

Lot 256 Drombane Pearl, reg 4 yo b g 16 hh by Olympic Lux out of Drombane Dilemma (VDL Arkansas). A half-brother to last year’s €24,000 sale topper Drombane Glory, and also to the American-based Drombane Dynamite (CCI2*). The dam meanwhile, is a half-sister to the Italian ridden event horse Fernhill Ambassador (CCI4*) and to Drombane Dancer (1.20m).

Lot 259 MBF Dondale, reg 4 yo br f 16.2hh by Glasgow Van’t Merelsnest out of Claire Z (Chellano Z). One from a regular sale topping consigner, this fully warranted filly is out of the good jumping mare Claire Z (1.50m) and is a likely prospect for the age classes next season.

Lot 271 Cushlas Gemima, reg 4yo b f by Vittorio out of Une Ardente de Vie (Apache d’Adriers HN). This high-class filly is a half-sister to Robyn Moran’s top performer Cushlas Fryday (1.50m) and to Cushlas Hilton (1.40m).

Lot 281 TWS Clara, reg 4 yo b f 15.3hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of TWS Carnival (Shannondale Sarco). This filly produced two double clears in her RDS age qualifier at Barnadown. Very well related, the dam is a half-sister to Kyle King’s CSI5* world cup campaigner Cameron Hills Quick Dollar (1.60m) as well as to the British-based event horse Cavalier Micky Finn (CCI4*).

Lot 284 CSF Viv, reg 4 yo b g 168cms by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of CSF Telly Clover (Ars Vivendi). A very smartly bred gelding whose dam is a sibling to the dam of the recently selected European squad member CSF James Kann Cruz and many other notable performers. The second dam, CSF Tell Of Clover was a junior European show jumping gold medallist.

Lot 296 Annaghmore Ganecho, reg 4 yo b g 16.2hh by Ganesh Hero Z out of HHS Flo Echo (Clover Echo). This well-bred gelding has competed in training shows and has been schooled across country. Well related, he is a half-brother to Coltaire (1.45m) while the dam is a half-sister to the Marion Hughes’ HHS Cashmere (1.60m).

Lot 327 Donail Viva Belle, reg 4 yo b f 16.1hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of Donail Overis Belle (Hannibal Van Overis Z). Dam is a half-sister to Woodstock Bennett (CCI5*) ridden by Australian international Ryan Woods.

Lot 339 Cookstown Sparrow, reg 4 yo gr f 16.1hh by Coupe de Coeur out of Gortglass Sparrow (Ashfield Bobby Sparrow). An attractive Connemara cross, this well related filly was placed fourth in the Mullingar Rising Star final earlier last month. Carrying a clean SJI record, and with 7 points to date, she is a half-sister to Danny Boys Cavalier (1.40m) as well as to the event horses Cookstown Jackson (CCI3*) and Gortglas Eclipse (CCI2*).

DETAILS

Michael Donohoe & Sons

Address: Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny

Telephone: 0599775145 Fax: 0599775541

Email: info@goresbridge.com

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Date: 6th - 13th September 2023

WEEK ONE – 6th - 8th September 2023.

Time: 11.00am

Wednesday: Ponies (40 lots).

Thursday: Horses: Five-year-olds and upwards.

Friday: Four-year-olds.

Total lots week one: 354 lots plus supplementary catalogue.

Top lot week one 2022: Michael Ryan’s Drombane Glory, five-year-old gelding by Future Trend (dam by VDL Arkansas) €24,000.