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Within just a very short period of time the sale has established itself as a source of top class performers on an international level including the record breaking
Family run for over forty-five years, Goresbridge Horse Sales is recognised as Ireland’s major source of top international sport horses, leisure horses and hunters. The leader in its field, Goresbridge graduates have represented their countries at every major show jumping and eventing championships, accounting for 44% of the Irish bred horses at the London Olympic Games and 28% of the equestrian medallists in the Olympic Games in Beijing.
For the first time in many years, Britain entered a winning Nations Cup squad made up entirely of Irish bred horses. Taking place in Odense, Denmark the result marked another milestone for Goresbridge, when it was revealed that all four horses, A Touch Imperius (Harriet Nuttall), Dougie Douglas (Holly Gillott), Santa Cruise (Tim Page) and Touchable (Jessie Drea) had been sourced at Goresbridge. •Adding to the year’s show jumping successes, the Swiss based Olympic show jumper Castlefield Eclipse (Paul Estermann) was the highest ranked Irish bred horse in the world for the second year in succession.•Not too be outdone, the event graduates Ballynoe Castle RM (Bruce Davidson Jnr, USA), Improvise (Bill Levett AUS) and Electric Cruise (Joseph Murphy IRE) were among the world’s topsix ranked Irish bred event horses, thus helping to secure overall victory for the Irish Sport Horse in the WBFSH rankings. •The event horses Ballynoe Castle RM(USA), Electric Cruise (IRE), TradingAces(USA) and Stilo Kontika(ITA) represented their countries at the World Equestrian Games, while winning CCI*** honours fell to Stonedge(GB) in Strzegom and to Go For Gold graduate Copper Beech(USA) in Jersey Fresh. •In the show ring in 2014, Bloomfield Excelsior ridden by Jane Bradbury claimed the prestigious Supreme Hunter Title at the RDS in Dublin, while at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in England, Gortglas Rincarinca (Katie Jerram) took the lightweight hunter title.
While the Donohoe family at Goresbridge are justifiably proud of the achievements of these competition horses, they are equally rewarded by success stories of the thousands of horses and ponies who give pleasure to those who ride for fun. Sourced by both the private and commercial buyers, these leisure horses, ponies and hunters sell in significant numbers throughout the year, and attract customers from all corners of the world. The sale complex, in the heart of Ireland’s horse breeding country, now hosts seven Sport Horse Performance sales during the year from February through to December. Heading these dates is the ten-day sale in September, which offers nearly 2,000 horses from the age of three. This flagship sale has developed into Europe’s largest auction of Sport Horses and regularly attracts buyers from the UK, all parts of Europe, Canada and the USA. Further popular fixtures are the Go For Gold sale of event horses, the Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers, the bi annual Registered Connemara and Irish Draught Sales as well as the phenomenally successful Flat Breeze Up sale and the established bloodstock dispersals. Every horse can be seen performing prior to sale, either in the purpose built indoor arena or on one of the two all weather surfaces. Each horse is sold with a veterinary certificate from one of a panel of specialist equine veterinary surgeons. The reputation of Goresbridge graduates is renowned, and the team at Goresbridge is committed to providing a service in line with that reputation. So, in conclusion, whatever you require, the Donohoe family will assure you of a warm welcome, a professional service, and will be happy to assist you in every way possible.
“We have been attending the Go For Gold Sale for several years now it has become a true highlight in our calendar. It is amazing to see so many beautiful and talented prospects in one place and the selection committee does a great job presenting the most promising youngsters of the country. We just love the very special attitude of theIrish horses and the high proportion of thoroughbred in the breeding.We never left the sale without taking a horse home and Go For Gold graduates have easily grown into the sport up to CCI4* level. So excited for the future.” Nicolai Aldinger. International Event Rider.
“We’ve been attending the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale for years and it never disappoints. We’re always amazed by the selection of top quality horse. Every single one we’ve brought home with us to North America has been more impressive than we had even predicted. the Go For Gold Team has always gone out of their way to make the entire experience a convenient, smooth and organised process and we’re very excited for another trip this year.” Karl Slezak International Eventer.
“Go For Gold sale is exactly what is says on the tin. The standard and quality of the horses in the sale is top notch, I personally have had some of my best young horses to date from the sale and it’s firmly in my diary every year” Derek Morton. British international showjumper, showman and young horse producer.
“We are very pleased with Starburst’s trainability and progress. She finished on her dressage score 29.9 in her latest Novice competition. She was beautiful when we bought her and now with her training she is stunning. Easy to work with and talented in all jumping phases. We are looking forward to watching this mare develop and progress!” Katie O’ Brien.
“I first attended Goresbridge as a boy with my father – and now I bring my son. During this time Goresbridge has consistently provided us with the quality of horse that we, and our customers require.” Jim Derwin, leading dealer and producer.
“We get a really big buzz from going to Goresbridge. We have bought some lovely horses – you can never tell what you might find.” David Tatlow and Lorraine Homer. Leading Show Horse producers UK.
“Goresbridge has been a very lucky sale for us and is the best place we know to buy thequality of horse we look for – and at value.” Graham Smith and Holly Gillott. Owner and rider of the British Nations Cup show jumper Dougie Douglas.
“Goresbridge in September is a important venue for me when it comes to sourcing potentially top class three-year-olds.” Oliver Townend. (British event team rider).
“There is no choice like a great choice when it comes to Goresbridge.” Donal Barnwell. Leading event horse producer. UK
“Goresbridge is a real eye opener – so many horses to choose from and to suit all personal opinions.” Rodney Powell. International Event Rider.
“Goresbridge is always exciting, and like Pandora’s box you never know what will appear.” Clare Ryan. International Agent.
“Goresbridge has been a lucky venue for us, and usually we go home with a smile on our faces.” Anne and Louise Lyons and Kelly Ward. Leading show and event horse producers.
The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale of pre selected event horses has been the success story of recent years. Now heading into its sixth renewal, the sale is regularly attended by some of the most respected names in the sport, and without a doubt has truly achieved its aim of bringing together Ireland’s best young event horses to one venue for one sale. Staged in November at Barnadown and the Amber Springs Hotel, the sale offers around 50 proven and potential event horses from the age of three, all of whom have been selected by a highly experienced panel of producers and international riders. Always affordable, the 2014 returns produced a 75% clearance rate, together with Ireland’s record priced three-year-old at €53,500. A further twenty-seven lots realised in excess of €10,000, producing an average of €14,000.
Another exciting development took place in September, when Goresbridge staged the inaugural Supreme Sale of Show Jumpers at Barnadown and the Amber Springs Hotel. Run under a similar format to the Go For Gold sale, the catalogue of thirty pre-selected was full of talent, and crowned when Ard Ginger Pop headed Ireland’s auction figures for 2104 at €95.000. Enda Carroll and Carl Hanley were the successful purchasers for this coveted lot, and their pleasure was compounded when just two weeks later, the mare claimed the silver medal at the WBSFH championships in Lanaken under her new rider Angelica Augustsson. The same purchasers also accounted for Talks Cheap (€50,000), who soon repaid them when winning the Irish Breeders Classic over the same weekend.
Ard Ginger Pop wins silver medal at the WBSFH championships at Lanaken. Talks Cheap wins the Irish Breeders Classic
