The ultimate shopping trip for sport horse buyers

Searching for and buying a horse always brings excitement. The experience challenges both head and heart, draws on instinct and reason, often in conflict. It’s that electrifying feeling when you’ve found “the one” that brings euphoria. The process can also be unnerving, stressful, time consuming and disappointing. Trawling through websites, lengthy cross-examinations of vendors, followed by long and often fruitless journeys around the country. Worse still, it is not quite knowing who you can trust.

So imagine visiting one place, filled with a vast array of hand-picked highly talented horses, purposely bred and produced for eventing or show jumping. All with a full set of X-rays with the chance to view them extensively and try them on the flat and over fences. Then throw in a gala dinner, the buzz of an auction and the chance to schmooze a number of the world’s leading equestrian characters. Horse shopping couldn’t be any more enjoyable.

HOW THE IDEA BEGAN

The Donohoe family have been auctioning horses since the late 1960s, when Edward Donohoe first set up Goresbridge sales from a small base near Kilkenny. His son Martin took over the reins at just 18 and the family have sold a great number of sport horses to a wide international market. The focus was always on potential and raw talent as was the demand of the industry for years- essentially well-bred Irish sport horses to suit competitive amateurs and professionals alike.

A number of illustrious horses have come under the Donohoe hammer, including four star eventers Improvise, Mr Cruise Control, Master Crusoe, Lenamore, Mr Medicott and Imperial Cavalier. In showjumping the entire winning British Nations Cup squad at the CSIO in Odense in 2014, was filled entirely by Goresbridge graduates (Dougie Douglas, A Touch Imperious, Santa Cruise and Touchable).

For the last decade the Donohoe’s have witnessed first-hand, both a decline and a growth in the demand for the Irish sports horses and an evolving global market. Nine years ago, they noted the market desire for an animal showing more proof of their potential and soundness and they saw a gap in the market for a specialised sale. So the first seed for an event horse sale was planted. 

“The idea was that we did all the work that goes into sourcing and buying. This means selecting the very best horses, vetting them, X-raying and getting them all to one venue where they can be tried and shown over jumps and also cross-country fences.” Explains Martin.

The sale was intended to hand-pick and show case the best eventers and potential eventers that Ireland had to offer. In a few short years, the sale has produced graduates which are now consistently competing at 3 & 4* star level including Copper Beach, Cooley SRS, November Night, Sacramento, Prince Mayo & Cooley Rorkes Drift.

The sale has evolved over seven years to become one of the most distinguished sport horse sales in the world. Testament to this is not only the success of graduates but the number of professional riders, international buyers, elite horse breeders and producers who return to the sale each year to buy and sell.

“The selection panel is comprised of people who have been sourcing horses for almost all their lifetime and are very highly regarded” explains Martin.

These include Chris and Clare Ryan and Sally Parkyn “all of whom have bought and sold some of the world’s most successful event horses in recent years, including two medallists at the last Olympic Games” says Martin and this year’s “guest rider” who gave her verdict, was four star rider Nicky Roncoroni.

All horses for both sales will undergo an approved five stage vetting within 48 hours prior to the sale and are sold with a set of digital X-rays taken by members of the Veterinary panel. This panel is made up of leading vets and the X-rays are available for prospective buyers to inspect prior to sale.

THE DEMAND FOR ELITE SHOWJUMPING HORSES

The success of this led to a select sale for potential and proven showjumpers being created. The first year made a huge splash with the highest priced lot making 1.4 million euros. In fact the horse in question, Dougie Douglas made headlines after being sold to American rider Katie Dinan who has gone on to represent America in Nations Cup competitions. He was originally purchased by Holly Gillot and Graham Smith from the Goresbridge sport horse sale as a five year old for just 5700 euros.

“That’s a real success story” says Martin “It was one of the highest prices paid at auction for a sport horse certainly in Ireland and probably in the UK too. The sellers were obviously delighted and his new rider Katie Dinan, achieved great success quickly, winning a $50,000 Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Festival in Florida. She has given us a great reputation in America.”

It is evident that the Irish Sport Horse has been clawing its way back into the world show jumping rankings over the last few years after an absence of several decades.

“Back in the day Ireland was known for selling Showjumpers more than anything else, then we lost the market share for years” explains Martin “I’ve watched the market closely and people are coming back to Ireland from all over the world. After the success of Going for Gold, we wanted to use the same idea of a specialised sale for jumpers but whilst most of these sales cater for people looking for four and five year olds, we wanted to offer horses with more of a record and proof of World Championship potential for riders who didn’t want to bring them up the ranks. As well as young horses of the very highest calibre.”

The Showjumping sale is only in its third year but Martin claims it has been attracting buyers from across Europe, the UK and America. Unlike the eventer sale, which is open to Irish bred horses only, jumping horses are invited from outside Ireland to apply for a much coveted place in the catalogue.

The Supreme Sale of Showjumpers will take place on the evening of 15th November after an opportunity to view the horses in action during the day. The catalogue features an enviable list of proven and highly consistent jumpers, a number of exciting young horses with obvious Grand Prix potential and a selection of promising three year olds with impeccable breeding.

Other dream boats include Nickoletta E (Lot 105), a nine year old who has been consistently placed in International shows up to 1m 50. Whilst the Lux Z sired, Killossery Kaiden (Lot 112) is the current 6 year old World Champion.

Eventing enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a three day event from 14-16 November with the auction of all lots taking place on the final evening after the gala dinner. One of the prominent lots is Euro Prince (Lot 1 A) who represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has several double clears at CCI*** and CCI**** level. There will also be two horses, selected to represent Ireland at the WBFH Young Horse World Championships, going under the hammer.

HORSES FOR ALL BUDGETS AND COMPETITIVE DEMANDS

Martin’s wife Mary Frances Donohoe points out that an “auction of elite sport horses” does not automatically mean inflated prices for either sale.

“A number of buyers have regularly been surprised and we have one buyer who regularly points out she bought a horse at half the price she was willing to pay, which is now ridden by Tina Cook.”

The price paid for horses at the 2015 Supreme Showjumpers sale ranged from 6000 euros to 1.4 million euros whilst at Going for Gold the figures ranged from 7500 to 85,000 euros.

“The other advantage of a sale like this and an auction is it gives buyers the chance to compare horses and prices” continues Mary “It gives the purchaser control, they can pay what they want and it will be market value. Unlike when you go to a yard and you’re wondering how many agents’ commissions have been added on”.

The Donohoe’s also reinforce that the sales offer horses for professional, amateurs and young riders alike.

“No matter where these horses go – to professional, serious amateurs, young riders, they would be at the top of their game and are picked for rideability as well as type and soundness. Unlike most sales we offer an after-sales service if anyone has a serious problem with their purchase or sale. Thankfully we have only ever had one or two problems but we will always be there to do our upmost for both parties. That’s always been our philosophy.”

COME FOR THE CRAIC

If you have never been to a horse sale, prepare yourself to be thoroughly entertained. Even if you are not in the market, the Goresbridge family welcome all to their sales.

“The sales room caters for 1000 people and we easily had this last year. We are not exclusive like some sales and we open our doors to anyone interested. It’s a great night.”

Interested parties can also arrange to try horses in the days prior to the sale, by appointment with Goresbridge Sales.

Telephone bids can be made if you are unable to make the sale and there are travel incentives for overseas buyers.

Goresbridge Sales will help you every step of the way – from accommodation to understanding the auction and buying process. Take your husband / owner / bank manager. If the Irish spirit does not force them to put their hand deep in their pocket, the excitement of bidding for horses after a bottle of champagne definitely will.

For more information and to see the Go For Gold and Supreme Showjumpers catalogues please visit:

 www.goresbridgegoforgold.com

www.irishhorse.com/showjumping

Goresbridge Sales: Tel: 00 353 59 9775145.