A ROBUST afternoon session livened up the proceedings at Goresbridge last Saturday, and bringing a tough three days to a close, delivered a very healthy top return of €22,000.

The traditionally strong final day lived to expectations to deliver the remaining three five-figure prices together with the best daily average (€4,708) and clearance (55%). Demand was both solid and competitive for foals with a stout maternal show jumping pedigree, but those with less on paper found it harder to make an impact.

It was undoubtedly a sale of two halves however, and Saturday’s lively action aside, these positives did little to ease breeder’s long-term concerns. The present economic uncertainty may have had an influence in the outcome, but bearing the weight of a slow start on Friday, the figures for the final two days illustrated that a total of 52% of those forward changed hands (58% overall in 2021) albeit with an improved average of €3,688 (€3,309 overall in 2021).

Summing up the trade, Mary Frances Donohoe commented: “Purchasers were very definite about what they wanted to buy, with many finding it difficult to secure the lots they wanted,” she said. “There was very strong demand for quality foals with a pedigree and less so for those that didn’t meet their criteria. Overall, we were very satisfied.”

Accounting for the bulk of the sales, producers and pinhookers focussed on the pedigree as well as the model - and had to pay accordingly for the ‘right’ individual. In line with the discerning customers, the demand was patchy for the remainder and as a result it was disheartening to note that only half of foals sold realised in excess of €3,000.

Presentation and production (or lack of it) also played its part in the outcome, as did the limited uptake of the pre sales gallery. Many of the potential distance buyers cited their disappointment at the scarcity of pre-sale footage, and this is one area breeders can easily improve.

Sale topper

Ticking all the boxes in terms of both pedigree and model, it came as no surprise to see Dermot O’Sullivan’s well-related filly (Lot 325) by Conthargos selling well.

What was surprising though, was the intensity of the bidding which opened strongly at €5,000. From €10,000 most contenders had dropped out, leaving just two determined buyers to go head-to-head. Bids bounced rapidly between the duo, and despite a strong attempt from Alannah Morgan at €21,000, the hammer finally fell at €22,000 in favour of Askeaton based pinhooker and producer Ronnie Kelly.

“It’s a lovely family and she’s a nice foal,” commented Kelly, who disclosed he had bought the foal together with Michael O’Callaghan and Greg Broderick. “Her brother BP First Edition looks to be very promising, which is the reason we bought her. We plan to store her and produce her under saddle.”

As the seller meanwhile, Kildysert breeder O’Sullivan was overcome. “That was savage,” he said afterwards. “I didn’t expect a quarter of it!”

His comment was probably modest however, as the Conthargos filly came with a great blacktype page. Beautifully presented, she is the sixth registered foal out of BP Mystico, by Indoctro, and a half-sister to the RDS six-year-old finalist BP First of Many.

BP Mystico is a daughter of the international jumping mare Ballypatrick Mystique, and from the family of MHS Scala (1.50m). “I was trying to improve my breeding programme, so bought the dam three years ago from Cheryl Broderick, and it’s a super family,” explained O’Sullivan.

Having been the underbidder on the top lot, it was pleasing to see Alannah Morgan getting the final say in the purchase of James Kehoe’s bay filly ABC Best Guess (Lot 352).

A strong ante-post favourite, the filly is by the up-and-coming young sire Castlefield Kingston out of a full sister to the current WBFSH top-ranked Irish-bred jumper ABC Quantum Cruise (1.60m). Very topically, the dam is also a half-sister to the recent Lanaken six-year-old gold medallist ABC Saving Grace (Ethen Ahearne), as well as to ABC Private Jet (1.50m).

Following another competitive exchange, Morgan signed the docket at €12,800 and, speaking afterwards, commented: “She certainly has the page, and the sire is proving popular too. We will keep her until a three-year-old and see we how we go from there.”

Good day at the office

It was a good day at the office for the Co Carlow-based Kehoe family, as a few lots later another filly, ABC Pilot (Lot 381) from a similar dam line changed hands for a healthy €11,500. A daughter of Pegase Van’t Ruytershof, this filly was out of ABC Diamond Dilemma (Cruising) who is a full sister to the former Cavan Classic winner Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser, dam of ABC Quantum Cruise.

Once again, the ringside was packed to see this smartly bred filly knocked down to Limerick businessman Hugh Martin.

“It’s classic breeding and from a great family,” said Martin, who breeds from a sizeable number of well related mares. “I do try to stay at the top end if I can,” he added.

Kehoe declared himself happy enough with both sales, commenting: “The pedigrees can only get stronger. We just have to hope that the whole thing keeps going.”

Living up to expectations, Saturday delivered the overall top 12 returns among which was Anna Dillon’s AKD Etoile (Lot 344), a filly by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof and the first foal out of the well-related Drummiller Delilah (Chacoon Blue).

The dam is a half-sister to the ISH Studbook series winner and Lanaken finalist Ms Clinton, as well further jumpers and event horses. At €10,000, Thurles-based Phil Breen was the successful buyer of this useful sort, who he plans to produce under saddle and eventually retain for breeding

Well-produced

Top-end pedigree fillies were highly rated throughout, and yet another well-produced individual was Stephen Reilly’s Creevyquin MyLady (Lot 338) by Mylord Cathargo out Ballintogher Evidence (Cavalier Royale). Featuring a stout maternal line, the dam is a full sister to Shannondale Ard Ri (1.50m) and from a dam line with a raft of jumping winners.

Bids were brisk and positive for this eye catcher, who was eventually secured by West Cork breeder John Burchall at €9,000. “She caught my eye early in the day, and these bloodlines are getting scarce,” he commented.

While the fillies dominated the proceedings, Charles Carter’s well-bred colt (Lot 316) by Castlefield Kingston out of Ballyquirke Diva (Clover Brigade) bucked the trend to land the best return of €8,700.

In comparison, traditional breeding struggled to make an impact, but flying the thoroughbred flag, a son of Centennial sold well at €7,800. Interestingly, the sire is not only fully approved, but achieved the highest grading marks ever awarded to a thoroughbred. This colt, who looked very well bought by Co Wexford producer Michael Condon, is out of an imported jumping mare.

At €5,200 a colt by Road to Happiness was another to appeal, while two sons of the Slyguff residents Gibeon and Pointilliste also held their own. The latter was responsible for Lot 22 who, selling to showman Dessie Gibson for €4,100, was the highest price foal with completely traditional breeding.

TOP RETURNS

Dermot O’Sullivan’s unnamed filly foal by Conthargos (dam by Indoctro) €22,000.

James Kehoe’s ABC Best Guess, filly foal by Castlefield Kingston (dam by OBOS Quality) €12,800.

Pat Kehoe’s ABC Pilot, filly foal by Pegase Van’t Ruytershof (dam by Cruising) €11,500.

Anna Dillon’s AKD Etoile, filly foal by Emerald Van’t Ruyershof (dam by Chacoon Blue) €10,000.

Stephen Reilly’s Creevyquin Mylady, filly foal by Mylord Carthargo (dam by Cavalier Royale) €9,000.