Ireland’s only elite horse sale, run by riders, for riders, once again looks to build on the success of the Covid-era hybrid virtual sale again this November. The auction dedicated to the sale of 3-year-old potential “elite” horses, run by 5* event riders Niall Griffin (IRE), Polly Jackson (GB) and Bill Levett (AUS), once again welcomes buyers from around the world to Monart Equestrian, and The Monart Spa, from 6th – 7th November, for two viewing days. The sale will then take place online during the 8th and 19th November.
In a new development for 2023, the sale will feature a wider selection of sport horses, giving the sale its “elite horse” tagline as opposed to the original “event horse” descriptor.
Sale Director Niall Griffin commented: “We’ve continuously been presented with horses with fantastic movement, great jump, and the only criticism we’ve found is they’re maybe lacking a bit of blood for the 5* level [in eventing], which would have been the only reason not to select them.
The sport is changing. If you look at the Badminton horses, the type of horse has changed dramatically over the years, and so have the riders needs. They need to cross over more – giving them options for eventing and pure jumpers. So, we talked to vendors and decided that if these horses come forward it would be insane to turn them away.”
Karl Slezak and Monart graduate Hot Bobo. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
The Monart Sale saw record numbers of vendors enter horses for selection, requiring the organising team to add an additional selection day. The increased numbers of horses presented, the wider selection criteria and the high calibre of horses presented has resulted in a record number of horses being selected for auction. Over 170 of Ireland’s finest 3-year-old elite sport horses will be included in the auction.
One further new development for 2023 will see all x-rays being available to view on the horse’s sales profile. The step was taken to enable easier access to potential buyers and reduce the time taken to request x-rays for review.
Monart has attracted a plethora of notable buyers over the years including Olympic Champion Michael Jung (GER), Olympic Gold Medallists Oliver Townend (GBR), Laura Collett (GBR), Astier Nicholas (FRA), 5* Champion Caroline Powell (NZL), Karl and Katlyn Slezak (CAN) as well as UK based Irish senior team riders Austin O’Connor and Susie Berry.
The 2023 sales catalogue, with full sales videos, is now available to view via www.themonartsale.com. Prospective buyers are required to register in advance of the sale, whether they are intending to attend in person or online.
Lots 1 – 87 will perform their showcase on Monday 6th November, with the remainder scheduled for Tuesday 7th November. All showcases will be livestreamed via the sale’s website, with showcases added to horse profiles prior to the auction. Due to the volume of horses in the 2023 sale, auctions will be scheduled to close from 5pm on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th November. Each horse has a closing time three minutes apart and will require a five minute period free of bids in order for the auction to close.
The 2023 Monart Sale is once again presented by Sprenger Equestrian.
