Michael Donohoe & Sons

Address: Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny

Telephone: 059-9775145

Fax: 059-9775541

Email: info@goresbridge.com

Web: www.irishhorse.com

Date: May 8th and 9th 2024.

Wednesday Time: 10.30am.

Ponies (58 includes supplementary sheet) and older horses.

Thursday Time: 10.30am.

Four-year-olds and three-year-olds.

Total Lots: 390 (including the supplementary catalogue).

Last year’s top lots: MBF Sporthorses’ Ardfort MBF Avatar, four-year-old by Lagans OBOS Quality (dam by Dream Boy) €24,000.

JUST weeks after staging a highly successful thoroughbred sale, the focus at Goresbridge now returns to the sport horse sector. As usual, next week’s May edition will run over two days and, kicking off at the earlier time of 10.30am, the renewal offers a full catalogue with the usual mix of age groups. The opening day is dedicated to the ponies and older stock, and in the latter group there are an exceptionally strong selection of competition horses. The end of season hunter market is also likely to be lively, as proven and fully warranted hunters appear in number. On Thursday, the spotlight falls on the young horses, with four-year-olds preceding a notable number of three-year-olds.

Looking at the list of covering sires, the Kennedy brothers’ inmate Vivant Van de Heffinck leads the way with eight lots forward, while just one adrift, the Tullabeg Stud’s Dignified Van’t Zorgvliet is also well supported. Along the more traditional lines, the thoroughbred Pointilliste, and the recently deceased Loughehoe Guy have five apiece.

Ponies

Lot 6 Rosnakill Zorro, reg 5 yo bl g 14.2hh. One for the future could be this young pony, who has already clocked up 30 SJI (21 recorded) points. Described as an ideal prospect for the six and seven-year-old classes next year, he is currently ridden by a 12-year-old boy.

Lot 22 Carraun Lil, reg 12 yo gr m 12.2hh by Martan Phaidin Nhoir. Although not suitable for a beginner, this fully warranted, grade A mare has carried a nervous rider to 1.05m level. Having accumulated the majority of her 564 SJI points over the past two years, she has a super canter and plenty of scope.

Lot 38 Sugar 2, reg 8 yo skbd m 125cm. Another of the smallest individuals, Sugar has carried an eight-year-old child to win 33 SJI points. Warranted in all ways, she has been in the same home for two years, has hunted regularly and is very straightforward.

Older competition horses

Lot 53 Wolf Gold Rush, reg 5 yo ch g 16.3hh by Glenhill Gold out of Six Hills Sapphire (Brilliant Lad). Smartly bred, this home-bred gelding has event breeding on both sides of the family. He is the first progeny out of the four-star mare Six Hills Sapphire, while the sire was also a four-star performer. Having been produced slowly, he has attended training shows, both show jumping and eventing.

Lot 60 Brownstown Sansa, reg 8 yo ch m 168cm by Island Commander out of Raheen Pride (Prospect Pride). The winner of 3 EI points, this mare has evented to CCI*level. Last year, she competed in Pony Club activities, qualifying for the event championships at Tattersalls. Snaffle mouthed in all phases, she scores highly in her dressage and has jumped to 1.10m.

Lot 67 Dermish Katie, reg 5 yo gr m 16.1hh by Radolin out of Daytime Cruise (Cruising). Most attractively bred, this fully warranted mare is a half-sister to Hilton Up The Banner (1.45m) currently competing in Italy. From a strong maternal line, the dam is a half-sister to Castlerock (1.50m), Thomascourt BGS (1.40m) and from the family of the good event horse Rehy DJ (CCI5*).

Lot 67, Dermish Katie, is a half-sister to Hilton Up The Banner pictured with Clem McMahon winning the six-year-old final at MET Oliva \ Hervé Bonnaud/ www.1clicphoto.com

Lot 80 June Vivant, reg 5 yo b m 16.2hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of June Johnson (OBOS Quality). The fully warranted winner of 134 SJI points to date, is out of the grade A dam June Johnson. She in turn is a sibling to Queensway Royal (1.60m) and to Night Quality (CCI4*). With a great step and balance, this young mare has exciting competition potential, as well as that of a brood mare.

Lot 93 Smalltown Boy, reg 7 yo b g 168cm by Goodluck VDL out of Alannas Jewel (Chacoa). One of the catalogue picks, and described as a top- class winning machine, this warranted gelding has a career total of 114 SJI points in classes up to 1.30m level. He has competed and was placed at the RDS, and is thought to have a big future ahead.

Lot 109 Assagart Hope and Glory, reg 7 yo gr m 168cm by Landsdown out of Kingstead Fiona (Huntingfield Rebel). This high-class mare has qualified for and competed in the Irish Draught performance class at the RDS for the past three years. She has been placed on each occasion and was runner-up in the equivalent class in Balmoral.

Lot 114 Shirsheen Bees Wing, reg 5 yo b m 164cm by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of Candy Copper (Regal Sting). An exceptionally well-related mare, who is a half-sister to the American-based event horse Shirsheen Ice (CCI4*) and to the jumper Shirsheen Calensky (1.40m). Home-bred out of a graded jumping dam (1.30m), she should excel in any equestrian discipline.

Lot 144 Lexa (Lammy Casabella), reg 6 yo b m 165cm by Presidential Ball out of Charlies Midnight Mist (HHS Br Charlton). A smart prospect from a regular sale topping consigner, this mare is the winner of 19 SJI points and was placed third in the DAFM Stud Book series qualifier two weeks ago. Well-related she is a full-sister to Coolishal, who was selected for Lanakan last year and several other graded performers. Slowly produced, she is currently jumping 1.10m and 1.20m tracks showing plenty of potential.

Lot 145 Keelnacally Cobra Clover, reg 8 yo gr g 16.1hh by Cobra out of Annaghmore Clofi (Clover Fields). A top young rider show jumping prospect, this gelding competed in Vilamoura as a five-year-old, as well as Millstreet and Balmoral the following year. With a record of 129 SJI points, he headed the 1.35m Grand Prix at Castle Irvine last year.

Hunters

Lot 52 Prospect Coco, reg 5 yo b g 15.2hh by Cappa Emperor out of Cappa Ruby (Cappa Cochise). This full Irish Draught has hunted this season with the North Galway Foxhounds and has whipped in. He has also competed in hunter trials and, measured for this year, will make a lovely small working hunter.

Lot 77 Billy, reg 7 yo b g 170cm by Steppe Dancer out of Glenda Bahrain (Glen Bar). This gentleman’s hunter has followed the Roscommon Harriers and the North Galway Foxhounds for two seasons. In addition, he has competed up to 1.10m level and could turn his hand to any equestrian discipline.

Lot 136 Charlie, reg 8 yo ch g 16.2hh. A very experienced performer, Charlie has hunted with the Woodstown Harriers for four seasons. He has also competed in training shows and events, as well as taken part in pony club activities.

Lot 164 Lackkelly Lively, reg 6 yo b g 16 hands by Mooresfort Mr Clover out of Gorgeous Audrey (Mountain High). An easy ride, and warranted in all respects, this gelding has been well hunted with the Scarteen and Limerick foxhounds.

Four-year-olds

Lot 193 Mountelliot Lane, reg 4 yo gr g 168cm by Quality Time out of Valencia (Remo BT4). An exciting prospect and exceptionally well-related, this home-bred gelding is out of a sister to Andrew Nicholson’s good event horse Andrea BT4 (CCI4*). Adding impressive depth, the second dam is a full-sister to four CCI5* horses including Nereo (Andrew Nicholson), Armada (Oliver Townend), Oplitas (Giovanni Ugolotti) and Fenicio (Andrew Nicholson).

Lot 201 Castleconnell Bring It On, reg 4 yo b g 16.1hh by Vivant Van de Heffinck out of Boney Kelly (Dow Jones Courcel). Carrying 60% thoroughbred blood, this well-related individual has competed at training shows and has schooled across country. He is a half-brother to the American-based Big Berry (CCI4*), as well as to Shop DJ (CCI2*) and the Coen Williams-ridden jumper Aislings Clover (1.20m).

Lot 241 Tumble The Wildcat, reg 4 yo b g 16.3hh by Coolkeeran out of Cushna Clover (Clover Flush). One for the showmen could be this smart gelding, who looks set to make a top middleweight under saddle. Having enjoyed a successful career in hand, he was crowned champion at Claremorris last year.

Lot 242 Unnamed, reg 4 yo ch g 16.1hh by Pointilliste out of Dawn Lady (Highland King). Carrying very old traditional breeding, this gelding is out of a full-sister to William Fox-Pitt’s Burghley runner-up Ballincoola (CCI5*).

Lot 264 Castlelawn Disney, reg 4 yo gr f 165cm by Castlelawn Captain Junior out of Anthonys Choice (Clonakilty Hero). Featuring the influential Diamond Lad as sire of the second dam, this filly won the HSI TIH loose jumping at Tubberbride last year and, eligible for TIH classes, could either show jump or event.

Lot 274 MBF Touchpoint, reg 4 yo b g 16.1hh by Pointilliste out of Pembrook Black Magic (Touchdown). One from the successful MBF consigners, this fully warranted performer hails from a predominately traditional pedigree full of winners. Currently competing in training shows, he will have been schooled across country by time of sale.

Three-year-olds

Lot 303 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16 hands by Let The Lion Roar out of Cooldiamond Ruby (Coolcorran Cool Diamond). The sixth foal out of the grand prix jumping mare Cooldiamond Ruby (1.40m and 274 SJI points), this gelding is a sibling to numerous graded jumpers including Flexible Cruz (1.30m).

Lot 318 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b f 16.2hh by Hiello out of Ballydunne Coevers (Coevers Diamond Boy). This smartly bred filly is out of a half-sister to the Mexican-ridden BP St Patrick (1.50m), as well as Commandant Geoff Curran’s puissance specialist Bishops Quarter

Lot 341 Unnamed, reg 3 yo b g 16.1hh by Womanizer out of Roadstown Star (Lux Z). Bred to perform, this good moving gelding is a half-brother to the event horse Bellscross Tyson, while the dam is a full-sister to Roadstown Lord (1.45m) and a half-sister to Dreamaway (CCI4*) and Greenforest Hilton.