The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale of pre-selected event horses has been the success story of recent years. Now heading into its thirteenth renewal, the sale 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 in Co. Wexford, the sale offers around 60 -70 proven and potential event horses from the age of three, all of whom have been carefully selected by a highly experienced panel of producers and international riders. Many of the sport’s most recognisable names regularly attend the sale and among them is the current world number one Oliver Townend, and fellow Olympian rider Michel Jung (GER). Others include Kim Severson (USA), Astier Nicolas (FR) Joe Meyer (NZ), Kitty King (GB), Nicola Wilson (GB), Gemma Tattersall (GB), Tom McEwen (GB), Buck Davison (USA), Boyd Martin (USA), Robin Walker (USA), Sam Ecroyd (GB), Emily King (GB), Mary King (GB), Cathal Daniels (IRE), Caroline Powell (NZ), Sam Watson (IRE), Joseph Murphy (IRE), Camilla Speirs (IRE), Patricia Ryan (IRE), Austin O’Connor (IRE) and Nicholas Aldinger (GER). The show jumping producers also attend, with the likes of Derek Morton (GB) and Sophie Richards (IRE) being regular and leading buyers. It is no coincidence that these riders mark this sale as an important date on the calendar, as Michael Jung confirms. “There are so many nice horses in one place.” He said. “All of which all have something special about them.” The sale is by no means confined to professionals however, and our amateur buyers are equally important and valued customers. Notable among their achievements last year was Rio Hall’s (Gorsehill Jewel) memorable win in the prestigious Corinthian Cup at Burgham and also Crissa Gillette (EPA Wildfire) who won on two occasions in America. While we are proud every successful graduate, some achievements stand out. In 2021 we were particularly pleased to note that four graduates were selected to represent their respective countries at the World young horse championships at Le Lion D’Angers and impressively, a three further graduates were chosen to compete in the show jumping equivalent in Lanaken.

In 2021, the November edition produced a record-breaking turnover of just shy of 1.5 million euros and a top price of €82,000. Such was the strength of the market, 87% of the seventy-one lots forward changed hands and every one of those sold achieved a five-figure return. This in turn led to an overall average of €23,984. A more detailed examination revealed that the four-year-olds produced the best average of €30,538, leaving the three-year-olds to close at €22,489. The sale topping figure of €82,000 was well supported by those of €79,000, €49,000 and €48,000 while a further nine lots cleared €30,000 and another twenty horses realised between €20,000 – €30,000.