Headed by a whopping €43,000 sale-topper at Goresbridge a couple of weeks ago, the sport horse sale season of 2025 has kicked off in the most positive of styles. Encouragingly reminiscent of the Celtic Tiger days, the opening auctions at Goresbridge, Cavan and Clifden have been lively from the outset, featuring a raft of five-figure returns.

As illustrated by the sale-topper, the major spoils have predominately fallen to horses with competition form, while demand has also been strong for the top-drawer youngsters with potential.

Never to be underestimated, the pony trade has been on fire from the outset, too. Examining the figures so far, a total of 84 horses have smashed the five- figure bench mark, a vast improvement on 12 months ago.

So, who are the influential customers?

Battling against intensive opposition from the commercial sector, the private buyers – and most significantly the British still hold the strongest hand. Staunch in their support for the Irish horse, they have weathered the Brexit storm, the ever-increasing import duties and taxes, and have attended sales in their droves.

Meanwhile, the trade buyers have also enjoyed a lively spring, albeit at a higher cost. Quiet riding horses, competition stock and ponies with mileage were at the top of their order lists, many with traditional breeding. These individuals have sold well all spring.

In contrast, and looking at the sale-toppers, it is very obvious that the European-bred horses carry the most influence. While several have been imported as two or three-year-olds, the majority are bred in Ireland, with most originally hailing from traditional lines.

Quiet riding horses, competition stock and ponies with mileage were at the top of their order lists, many with traditional breeding. These individuals have sold well all spring.

The top returns of spring 2025

Gerard and Barbara Clarke’s Drishoge Creed, eight- year-old gelding by Hector Van d’Abdijhoeve (dam by Zanzou R) Ars Vivendi horse €43,000.

MBF Sporthorses and Higgins Sport Horses’ MBF Fortuna, four-year-old filly by Imnotafraid Fortuna (dam by Ars Vivendi) €38,000.

Higgins Sport Horses and MBF Sport Horses’ Rio, four-year-old gelding by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve (dam by Latour VDM) €29,000.

Higgins Sport Horses and Mary Bolger’s Sandfield Quality Rock, four-year-old gelding by Rock n Roll Ter Putte (dam by OBOS Quality) €23,500.

Syrena Van Keulen’s Danqu Eile BK, six-year-old gelding by Ustinov (dam by Stedinger) €20,000.

Gerry Dillon’s The Little Farrier, 12-year-old mare 148cms by Josie Jump (dam by Tidaro) €20,000.

MBF Sport Horses’ MBF Crocothargo, four-year-old filly by Crocodile Dundee Z (dam by Sligo Candy Boy) €20,000.

The sale topper

Looking at the early sale-toppers, the clear leader at present is Gerard and Barbara Clarke’s grey show jumper Drishoge Creed who realised €43,000 two weeks ago. An obvious pre-sale catalogue pick, the eight-year-old son of Hector Van d’Abdijhoeve had accumulated many placings in the IHB classes and, the winner of 123 SJI points, is currently competing at 1.40m level.

Selling through the Goresbridge ring, he was put on the market at €35,000 before the hammer finally fell in favour of a very determined British ‘cash’ customer at €43,000.

“I’m delighted, and it’s good to see he’s going to a private show-jumping home,” said Gerard and Barbara Clarke. “He’s been a great horse for us the whole way through his career, and only yesterday he jumped a double clear round in the 1.40m class at Mullingar. We did well with his half-brother here last year, and by coincidence, his dam delivered us a sister this morning!”

Banker age group

Like so often for the banker age group, the four-year-olds have enjoyed another great start to the year. They reaped some impressive returns, most of which went the way of the highly successful Co Waterford/Co Wexford production team of MBF Sporthorses and Higgins Sport Horses.

The professional team always set a high bar in terms of presentation and production, and were well represented by MBF Fortuna who headed the Goresbridge March renewal at €38,000.

An eye catcher from the get go, the four-year-old filly was the subject of a spirited dual, following which American online buyer Denis Sargenti finally outbid bloodstock consultant Michael Donohoe. She was sourced from her breeder William McDonald just before Christmas and, by Imnotafraid Fortuna, was out of PLS Halo Vendi (Ars Vivendi), a well-related half-sister to PLS Executive (1.40m) and from a family full of international performers.

“We thought she would make a lot of money and while we knew we had several American customers showing interest, we never expected to get this sort of price,” commented MBF spokesman, Brian Flynn.

Pony success

It has been a phenomenal start to the year for the ponies. The sale houses of Clifden, Cavan and Goresbridge have all enjoyed a flying trade, with the top honours at €20,000 falling to Gerry Dillon’s homebred 148cms jumping pony The Little Farrier.

Changing hands when topping the February sale at Cavan, the 12-year-old mare had accumulated over 300 SJI points in classes up to 1.20m level. By the renowned Connemara stallion Josie Jump, she was out of the lightly raced thoroughbred dam Farriersfriend by Tidaro.

There was a flurry of bids before the hammer fell in favour of British online buyer, Jenna Romani.