November 8th, Co. Wexford, Ireland: Ireland’s only elite horse sale, run by riders, for riders, The Monart Sale, produced another record-breaking sale despite the continuing challenges of the ongoing pandemic.
The new hybrid format, that welcomed prospective buyers onsite for two viewing days ahead of the online sale, paid dividends with a new record average price of €15,281, and a clearance rate that exceeded 82%.
“It seems like we keep saying we’ve exceeded our expectations, but to be honest it’s been absolutely brilliant for us” confirmed sale Director, Niall Griffin.
The top two lots, unnamed fillies from Henry Foley’s stable, achieved €35,500 and €34,500 respectively, with five horses in total breaking the €30,000 mark.
Lot 73, by Luidam (KPWN) out of a Plot Blue (KWPN) sold on the second night to Zoe Feeney (GBR) for a sale high of €35,500.
Lot 33, by KEC Maximum Joe (WESTF) out of a Furryoso (ISH) mare produced the first night high price of €34,500, selling to Jennifer Oliver (USA).
Commenting on her purchase, Jennifer Oliver said:
“We heard about the Monart Sale via a word-of-mouth referral from a friend familiar with the auction. We are generally hesitant to buy horses remotely, however the Monart team do such a super job showing the young stock. We appreciate that the conformation pictures are on hard surfaces, that the walks are on gravel and that the x-rays were thorough. Just top notch all the way. Lot 33 attracted us because of her overall presence. She is a super well-rounded filly, we thought one of the best in the sale.”
Having previously offered four- and five-year-olds for sale in addition to the 3-year-olds offered in this year’s sale, the Monart team have no plan on returning to having ridden horses in the auction and will focus their attentions on Ireland’s best selection of 3-year-olds.
“We really are now the premier 3-year-old sale in Ireland. If you’ve got a good 3-year-old you bring it here and put it in front of the best riders in the world. We’ve proven time and time again that we sell to the four corners of the world, and we’ll get a good price for it. We’ve made the decision to not go back to the ridden horses, and it’s the 3-year-olds we’re going to stick with.”
This year’s sale again attracted buyers from across the world, including Olympic gold medallists Michael Jung (GER) and Laura Collett (GBR), along with Aoife Clark (IRE), Marcio Jorge (BRA), Bill Levett (AUS) and Trish Ryan (IRE).
Full results can be found at www.themonartsale.com.
Bill Levett and Nial Griffin, on one of the selection days
Organised by Niall Griffin who has represented Ireland at two European Championships, a World Equestrian Games and two Olympic Games, and supported by a selection panel of Polly Jackson, who has represented Great Britain at European Championships, and Australia’s Bill Levett who has amassed a number of top 10 finishes at 5* level over a glittering career
