Could MBF Desert Dancer be Oliver Townend’s next five-star winner? Photo courtesy of the Monart Select Elite Event Horse Sale.
Oliver Townend laid claim to the top lot at this year’s Monart Sale, which took place in Co. Wexford, Ireland, Nov. 4-6. The horse, who was purchased by the reigning world no. 1 for a tune of €30,000: MBF Desert Dancer, a 3-year-old chestnut gelding who shares the same sire, Ramiro B, as Oliver’s back-to-back Kentucky CCI5* winner and European Championships ride Cooley Master Class.
The Monart Sale is among the equestrian world’s most well curated auctions. Every horse in the catalogue has been selected by a panel of five-star event riders — Polly Jackson (GB), Niall Griffin (IRL) and Bill Levett (AUS) — and vetted by former Team Ireland vet Marcus Swail.
Being a clearinghouse for top-notch prospects, this year’s auction was well attended by a who’s-who of European eventers. Notable buyers included Aoife Clark, Susie Berry, and Trish and Michael Ryan of Ireland; Kai Ruder and Julia Mestern of Germany; Emily King, Sam Ecroyd, Vicky Tuffs, David Britnell, and Vicky Brake of Great Britain; and Giovanni Ugalotti of Italy. The likes of Michael Jung and Astier Nicolas have previously purchased horses at Monart but were underbidders on several lots this year; Astier, however, did secure a horse for one of his clients.
We were excited to see several North Americans in the mix as well.
Megan Moore purchased lot 3 from Trade Horse Ltd.
Hallie Coon purchased lot 63 from Michael Griffin.
Sten-Ake Krist purchased lot 52 from Frank & Paula Cullen.
Canadian Karl Slezak always seems to pick up a lorry-full at Monart and this year was no exception. He purchased lot 44 from Lizzie Burcher, lot 62 from Martin Goff, and lot 78 from Creevagh Stables.
Fellow Canadian Sabrina Levere purchased lot 56 from Hugh Douglas.
This year’s Monart Sale saw the average price rise from €11,000 in 2018 to €13,000, setting a new record for the sale as it enters its 10th year. Sixty-three of the 90 horses presented to the auction were sold, bringing total auction sales to over €800,000.
“I was delighted with this year’s sale,” says organiser Niall Griffin. “Any sale where your clearance rate is over 70% is a good sale and the fact our average price was the highest it has ever been is a nice bonus. We had some amazing horses in it who have gone on to some fabulous riders, so we are very excited to see how they progress over the coming years.”
Previous sale graduates have gone on to big things, one U.S. import example being Charlie Tango, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse (Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Our Queen Bee, by Ricardo Z) purchased at the 2011 sale, who has had wins and top finishes at the four-star level with Heather Morris. Others include Bill Levett’s 2018 WEG mount Lassban Diamond Lift, Paul Tapner’s long-listed 2016 Rio Olympic mount Prince Mayo, Jonty Evans’ top 10 2016 Rio Olympic finisher Cooley Rorkes Drift, among many accomplished eventers and show jumpers.
Prior to Wednesday’s auction the organizing team had discussed how the quality of horses presented to that sale increases each year. “We had over 300 3-year-olds come forward, and the quality has increased year on year,” says Niall. “This year we’ve truly been able to pick the best of the best. Buyers will see that this year’s catalogue has a higher percentage of thoroughbred blood than previous years.”
Niall added “I have no doubt there are several horses that were sold on Wednesday that will like so many before them become household names in our sport.”
A full round up of all sold lots can be found here. The dates for next year’s sale are Nov. 2-4, 2020.
