AN impressive 94 of the 98 pre-selected and catalogued foals appeared at Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre for the sixth running of the Breeders Select Foal Sale on Saturday, October 7th.

The now widely known and recognised event organised under the umbrella of The Irish Horse Centre is a marketing initiative powered by the Mayo Roscommon Breeders Group.

Director and Public Relations Officer Patrick Hester explained that the strategy for the sale is simple: “Clear and transparent foal selection, international marketing and promotion and sustaining 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.”

“In a discontented global market, with inflation and a challenging 2023 harvest affecting hay and straw availability throughout Ireland and Europe, the market for quality foals stayed consistent for the event, with 58 lots sold under the hammer. It was a welcome reward for the committed, goal orientated and focused breeders at the Glenamaddy venue.”

Top lot

Lot 34, Patrick Connolly’s athletic chesnut colt by Harley VDL, set the standard for ‘quality pays’ as the top-priced foal on the day. He was purchased by Ballyward Equestrain for €13,000.

In line with the sales’ mandate to ‘develop a loyal national and international customer base’, Ballyward Equestrian consigned six lots in total on the day.

Headliners

Other headliners saw the top-priced filly on the day, Lot 46, Tiarnan McGrane’s Aganix Du Seigneur x Kannan, sell for €12,800 euro to The Carroll Brothers Ireland on behalf of a client.

High performance fillies seemed in demand on the day with Niall Barrett selling his Lot 63 Zirocco Blue x Indoctro x Libero H for €10,800 euro to John McMahon for his German-based Irish International rider Eoin McMahon.

HSI foal class

A new initiative in collaboration with Horse Sport Ireland aimed to identify and reward breeders of potential eventing colts and fillies was also held at the event.

Winner of the eventing colt class was the well campaigned Lot 67, the chesnut colt by Conticco x Voss x Quattro B bred by Des Mc Donnell.

Winner of the eventing filly class was Lot 78, Anthony Gill’s Sligo Candy Boy x OBOS Quality x Classic Cliché. Both Mayo breeders were rewarded with €1,000 each for their breeding endeavours, with the balance of the €3,500 prize fund divided evenly among other competitors.

Trade

Trade Horses accounted for eight other well bought foals on the day, which further cements the trust that is developing within the sale, as well as links within the supply chain with a strong contingent of graduates appearing at national select young horses sales.

Appreciation

Aside from the relentless drive of the key founders, brothers Mark and Patrick Hester, Noel Kilroy and John Murphy, it is without doubt the initiatives by the Mayo Roscommon Breeders Group are not achievable without the support of the following individuals, who work tirelessly on compiling the information for the catalogue, online platform and operations. They include Leo Larkin (Flatout Media Video Editing); Peter Van de Bulck at PWEB Solutions (website); new team members Anna Bobel (PWEB platform/admin) and Ulla Connolly (catalogue commentary), Anna Suess (@aennies_wild_photography); Chloe Hester (social media); Sinéad Mallee (graphic design), Liz Murphy (operations and hospitality), and all the team at Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre and Galway VEC.