Last week, Strzegom (Poland) and Goresbridge Go For Gold (Ireland) announced a partnership between the LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials and The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale for the first time. The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale will become a sponsor of CCI4*-L competitions and will sponsor a voucher for the commission of 8 percent on a 30 k horse purchase to the winner of this class.
Image courtesy of Goresbridge Go for Gold.
Go For Gold
The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale has long established itself as the premier source and showcase of Ireland’s finest potential event horses. Goresbridge Go For Gold is staged every November in Ireland’s Barnadown and the Amber Springs Hotel in Co Wexford, this year’s event promises to be the best one yet with the return of the gala luncheon.
Every year, the Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale brings together the best potential young event horses from Ireland in one place for one big sale. Around 80-100 amazing horses, starting from age three, are handpicked by experts of a highly experienced panel of producers and international riders.
In 2023, the sale achieved outstanding results, with a record auction price of €87,000 and an average price of €23,000. The four-year-old horses were a standout, selling for an average of €32,214.
Buyers from America, all over Europe and Britain were keen to snap up these top-quality horses. Among them were well-known names like Austin O’Connor, Oliver Townend, Emily King, Sam Ecroyd, and Max Warburton.
Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Go For Gold Graduates
“Just a few weeks into the 2024 season our Go For Gold graduates have been racking up wins and placings on both sides of the Atlantic. The calibre of graduates worldwide and their extensive lists of accolades and achievements is a testament of the quality sold at Go For Gold,” says Ed Donohoe of Goresbridge Go For Gold..
At both the Badminton and Kentucky five star showcases, it was rewarding to see three Go For Gold graduates on the leaderboard. County Wexford’s Lucy Latta who rode in her first Badminton five star finished an amazing second on RCA Patron Saint while Sarah Ennis on board Grantstown Jackson completed in the top twenty.
Another Goresbridge Go For Gold graduate at Badminton Horse Trials was 18-year-old Copper Beach. Previously campaigned by Buck Davidson up to five-star, the veteran Cooper Beach was partnered by the young American Cosby Green (23), who on her Badminton debut, delivered a fantastic clear in the country and a memorable completion.
Ed Donohoe recalls, “Thinking back to our early Go For Gold sales, the sale of Copper Beach still stands out vividly. It’s truly satisfying to see this legend of an Irish horse still going strong at 18 years old.”
“We’re excited about Lucy Latta and Sarah Ennis, who are on the verge of their first five-star victories. It’s a great endorsement for our selection team and the wonderful job they do in selecting the best of young horse talent,” he added.
Flying the flag for the Go For Gold graduates at the Kentucky five-star showcase in America, was the impressive duo of Cooley Nutcracker ridden by Liz Halliday. As the current American CCI4*-L champions, the pair were first timers at the level and thrilled connections when filling eighth spot. Other international winners across the water include Ocala open victors Rock Phantom (Sara Kozumplik) and the young mare Crossfield Cara who, with Joe Meyer in the saddle trounced the two-star field in Tryon.
The list of Go For Gold graduates excelling on the British circuit this year is extensive, but standing out are are Kilcannon Mischief ridden by Olympic gold medallist Tom McKwen, MBF Connection (James Avery NZ), Kilcannon Sensation (Harry Meade), Gun Law (Ben Way) and Rehy Revelation ridden by Jack Pinkney.
Not forgetting the Ryan Page ridden show jumpers MBF Huntstown Cornet, Curraghraigue Q Hill and BP Ko Jax who have been on extraordinary form this year, all winning multiple classes up to 1.40 level.
Liz Halliday and Cooley Nutcracker. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Go For Gold’s Expert Panel of Veterinarians
To ensure the well-being of the horses, each one undergoes a thorough health check by expert veterinarians. All horses catalogued undergo an approved five stage vetting conducted by specialist equine Veterinary Surgeons within 48 hours prior to the sale, and all will be sold with a set of digital X-rays taken by members of the Goresbridge Veterinary Panel.
These will be available for Veterinary Surgeons to inspect prior to sale and viewings will also be available on site with Veterinary Surgeon Hugh Suffern MVB MRCVS, Irish Team Vet for 13 years including 3 Olympic Games, 3 World and 6 European Championships.
The Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale is the place to find top event horses, attracting buyers from all over the world. With its fifteenth year, the sale continues to excel, offering great opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.
This year’s sale takes place on November 11, 12 & 13 2024. For more details, visit https://www.goresbridge.com/goforgold/ or contact Róisín McGrath at 0035359 977 5145.
