THE Supreme Sale of Show jumping Foals went ahead at the Irish Breeders’ Classic last Saturday evening but it wasn’t without it challenges when, due to weather which upended the schedule at the event, it was all moved indoors.

However, the rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the buyers or the atmosphere at Barnadown where the drinks reception, canapés and BBQ was much appreciated by all. The decision was made early in the day to move the parade of foals from the main grass arena to the indoor arena, followed by the auction of foals at 6.30pm.

The event was run under the banner of the Goresbridge Supreme sale of show jumping foals, in conjunction with the Irish Breeders’ Classic, whose prize fund benefited from 2% of the €216,000 turnover. Experienced selectors Brendan Doyle and Michael Condon selected 18 lots, 16 of which sold for an 89% clearance rate. The average price was €13,500.

Speaking afterwards, Ed Donohoe was pleased with the evening. “It was a great evening. We sold 16 out of the 18 foals, with a top price of €25,000 for a filly who is a relation of James Kann Cruz. It was a really good clearance rate (89%) for a lovely bunch of foals.

“We thought at one stage in the morning with the weather that the sale wasn’t going to happen. Thanks a million to the vendors for producing their foals for us and we wish all the buyers the very best of luck.”

Well-related

Patrick Connolly’s CSF Destiny became the top lot when she sold to Hughes Bravo Ltd for €25,000. By Willem Greve’s World Championship partner Grandorado TN, the grey filly is out of CSF Ali’s Diamond, a half-sister to Shane Sweetnam’s star ride James Kann Cruz, sired by Diamant de Semilly.

The final lot of the evening, Donal Callery’s Cookstown Emerald Lux, saw the second-highest return when bought by Shauna Thomson for €21,500. From the family of European pony champion Cuffesgrange Cavalidam and 1.55m performers Cuffesgrange Cavadora and Cuffesgrange Qualidam, she is by Emerald Van’T Ruytershof out of Cookstown Lux Good (Lux Z).

The trade was strongest for well-related fillies, which was in evidence again when Patrick Kehoe’s ABC Caverra realised €16,000. Another from a proven damline featuring several 1.50m and 1.60m horses including Harry Charles’ ride ABC Quantum Cruise, the bay filly is by Carerra VDL out of the Cavalier Royale-sired ABC Cavalier Carly.

Bravo Hughes Ltd signed the docket again for Lot 7, paying €15,500 for the filly foal by by Ermitage Kalone out of CBI Sky (Cornet Obolensky).

Stal Van Grunsven was another buyer to end the night with two new foals, both by the good jumping stallion Cocktail de Talma. The first at €15,000 was Lot 12, CBI Sapphire, a well-related filly out of CSF Karina (Kroongraaf), while they also signed for Lot 14, Hans Kuehnle's Tullibards I Wud If I Cud, a colt foal out of MHS Revolver (Plot Blue) at €13,000.