2010 SALES REVIEW

Hello everyone, Gary here from www.equineworld.ie , we have closely followed the sales results during 2010, having been to many of the sales promoting our site and getting the results for the ones we missed, we are going to give you a review of the sale season in 2010 and find some positives.

As expected, 2010 proved to be another roller coaster year for sport horse vendors, but looking back over the sales as a whole, there was also cause for optimism. In the wake of two very difficult years, the returns were very much improved and, discounting last years record breaking price of €150,000 for the showjumper Touchable, the top price exceeded 2009 figures across the board. Importantly, the numbers sold was remarkably more, clearly illustrating a healthy demand for the Irish competition horse.

The introduction of specialist event horse sales was a notable feature of the season, and one that contributed to a marked growth at the top end of the market. However, overall these buoyant returns were accompanied by some truly dismal figures, as prices constantly reflected the huge chasm in the trade. Despite the recession, there has been no shortage of buyers to our shores, but significantly they have been very cautious and looking for real value.

Among the stock that has given the worst returns over the last couple of years, is the youngstock, foals/yearlings, prices for these remained in line with 2009, but the continuing decline for the thourghbred and sport horse stallions was illustrated. Thoroughbreds fared worst with only a handful making in excess of €1,000, leaving breeders with a loss. Three and four year old horses, usually a reliable banker at some of the fixtures, was not much better, however, there were the few animals making in excess of €10,000, with the top price been €33,000 for the RDS future event horse winner. Older horses, proved to be the more popular throughout the year, with schoolmasters, hunters and showjumpers giving good returns, many of the top price horses were bought from Canadian buyers, while many went to our neighbors in the Uk and Europe.

All in all a tough year, but there are signs that the market may have bottomed and starting to turn a corner, for one, there are many more buyers than in 2009 and clearly more from overseas, so hopefully 2011 will bring more good results and the market can continue to grow.

Draught vendors disappointed with prices

Hello everyone

I was at the druaght sales in Cavan Equestrian Centre last week, which was great for anybody looking to buy into draughts, which I most tell you I am one of those people.

There were calls for opening bids of as low as €150 and often been sold for €200 – €300, which as we all know, will not cover the expenses or any where near it, trade was practically poor for the colts and I heard the auctioneer saying on a number of occasions, “Gone back home to grass”.

There were a few animals making in excess of €2000 and the top lot was a nice Drumri filly which made €3700. The elite sale of foals that was run in conjunction with the two-day sale produced the second top price, a nice Castana filly made €2800,  this was the first elite sale, which was an experiment to try and boost the two-day sale and will most likely feature in the future.

So to sum it all up, it was a bad sale for most vendors but a good sale for purchasers and those looking to buy stock at the right money.

Check back soon to find out more news in the equine world.

SALES FIGURES UPDATE

Hello everyone, I am following up on an article I did on the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt sale, once again I was back at the Tattersalls Ireland, this time for the September Yearling Sale which finished on a Wednesday evening, before leaving I grabbed a set of results for the sale. After going threw the results along with last years, it was clear to see this years results were ahead of the totals from 2009.

In saying all that, last years auction had three six figure transactions, the highest price this time around was €70000, but despite this the aggregate for the sale increased, along with the median and the average. The sale also had a very good clearance rate. However, despite what seems to be good news the final figures are some way short of where they were when the market was at its height and some vendors were forced to sell at a loss on even the covering fees let alone the production cost.

In my last article I mentioned the strong presence from overseas buyers had and this sale was no different, with many purchasing animals giving the market a solid base and depth, many of these buyers came as far from France, Spain, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy and as always the UK had a big number, which still indicates the Irish bred horse will always be in demand.

One of the top lots was a filly by Choisir and the other was a colt from the first crop of Excellent Art, both achieving the €70000 mark, there were many others making the 30 to 40000 mark and one lot made €65000. There were a few lots who made there pin hookers a decent return, one which I saw was purchased as a foal the previous year for €9000, sold for €51000 which is a very good return.

So to sum it all up, things may look as if they are starting to improve on what has been a disastrous couple of years all the way across the horse industry but especially for the breeders who depend on a strong market to sell there animals, so fingers cross the market can continue to grow and get stronger.

FIGURES RISE TO 2008 LEVELS

I recently visited the Tattersalls Ireland August National Hunt sale where trade returned to the level of two years ago and the results from 2009 were left behind. It started on tuesday where trade was a bit sluggish in the morning but quickly picked up in the afternoon which contained the majority of the better individuals on offer and also produced the first six-figure transaction seen at the sale for several years.

The catalogue was slightly larger than normal with turnover doubling to €1.5 million from 2009 figure. Another promising sign was the average price paid which was up by almost two thirds to €6000. However with prices been considerably lower than previous years, the market was still tough for many vendors, but the signs are there that there may be confidence returning to the market. Two animals surpassed the €100,000 mark, the first, a four year old, Old Vic gelding out of the Lismullen Hurdle winner Rose Of Inchiquin, this nice animal made €120,000. The next. a son of another excellent sire, Presenting, made €110,000, this three year old was purchased as a foal for €50000.

There were many more animals that made nice five figure sums, that one might argue would not have made the same figure last year when the market was in turmoil. The market, as always was still there for the good looking, athletic, well bred horse, whilst, the lower end of the market did not meet the criteria of many buyers. It was also good to see many of the top Irish trainers at the sale and also encouraging to see many of the UK trainers, these faces were probably attracted by the introduction of the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper.

All in all I was surprisingly encouraged with what I say and I would imagine I was not the only one, we all know that the industry has been on its knees now since 2008 with 2009 been one of the hardest years in the industrys history. So going forward, I hope, as all do involved in the industry that figures at sales like this can continue and even improve in the near future and that Ireland can still continue to be the leader in the bloodstock industry.

Crowds pack Millstreet Show as SJI holds firm

As Show Jumping Ireland held firm over its threat to fine and suspend members who take part in the unaffillated Millstreet Horse Show, crowds flocked to the Cork venue last week.

Entries at the event averaged at 800 a day while horseboxes filled the car park. Trade was reported to be good in young horses and ponies in particular.

Breeders from all over the south flocked to the show, with some reporting it as their last chance to shift stock before the winter.

The only thing to put a down beat on the event was the letters of warnings, fines and suspensions that will be sent out to all who have competed.

Check out next week for more news in the horse world.

Near Perfect Dutch Performance

A near perfect performance from the Dutch show jumping team saw them clinch victory in the 2010 Aga Khan Nations Cup last weekend at the RDS.

However, a spirited performance from the Irish Team saw them finish in joint second on 20 faults alongside the Americian team, with two brilliant clear rounds by Cian O’Connor and Denis Lynch.

Check back next week for more news from the horse world.

DEMAND FOR QUALITY STOCK

I was recently at another sale where once again demand for quality stock was very strong, the lots which attracted the greatest interest were the horses with some experience.

Again there were no record breakers and not many were sold for over €5000, however there was a clearance rate of 52% with demand also being stronger for four-year olds more so then three-year olds.

All in all I belive both vendors and purchasers were happy with how things went at the sale and once again proves that the horse trade is on the up.

Keep an eye on this space as we will be updating sale results regularly.

Ireland fourth in St Gallen

The Irish team finished fourth in the FEI Meydan Nations Cup series last week in St Gallen, Switzerland.

Once again victory went to the French team in the third leg of the prestigious competition, it feature’s the world’s best 10 show jumping team’s and last week’s result saw Ireland jump two places to now lie in fourth position.

WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH CIAN O’CONNOR

Hello Everyone

We have some good news, here at equineworld.ie we have joined forces with International Show Jumper Cian O’Connor and are offering to give one of our lucky advertiser’s a chance to win 3 lesson’s with Cian, on top of that, we are also giving another lucky winner €500 cash.

On another note check out our Sales and Events page to view what horse sales and horse events are coming up.

At last… Some good news.

Topic; horses for sale

            ponies for sale

We all know how the market has been over the last two years, but recent trade has been solid as the market continues to improve.

There has been no record-breaking prices for any stock, but a recovery is insight with figures showing an improvement on last’s years equivalent.

I was recently at a south-east horse sale where 63% of the stock offered changed hands and 20 exceeded the €5000 mark, a big change from last year’s results. There were also quiet a few quality horses for sale below that mark, however it is still encouraging to see we may have just turned the corner and have the blinker’s off.

Topic; Irish Show Jumping Team

On another front with more good news, The Irish Team put in an excellent performance to finish joint third place in the five-star Nation’s Cup in Rome last Friday (28/05/2010), once again victory went to France with Britain taking second and Spain finishing alongside the Irish team.

Topic; stallions at stud

There was a new-format stallion inspection held in Cavan in April, held over three days, with the results just been announced.

From the 32 stallions presented for inspection for the Irish Sport Horse Stud-book, a total of four stallions were improved.

The Irish Draught stallions had a larger turnout, with 42 been presented, with seven stallions getting ‘ Class 1 ‘ status.