First Horse & Pony Sale at Talgarth for over 50 years!

1st November 2009

Horse & Pony Sale gets off the ground with a Flying Start!

240 Horse & Ponies

An exceptional entry of Horse & Ponies for this the first sale at Talgarth Market for over 50 years. There was a huge amount of interest in the run up to the sale and sale day itself was even better than expected. People had travelled the width and breadth of the country to support it and the auctioneer Matthew Nicholls was overwhelmed with the turnout with the sale ring packed to the rafters. We had a very good run of Horse and ponies in the registered section of the Catalogue with Lot 136 the star of the day. Mr P. Holgate made the long journey down from Horton in Ribbelsdale, North Yorkshire with a prize winning nine year old Section D Chestnut Mare which soared to a record price of 4600 Guineas (£4830) and was purchased by Mr Stayley a local man from Bwlch. This was an exceptional result for Sunderlands & Thompsons first horse and pony sale and as a consequence we fully intend the horse sales at Talgarth to become a more regular event.

There was an excellent entry in the registered Welsh ponies, cobs & part bred section with approximately 114 registered Section A’s, 5 Section B’s, 4 Section C’s, 23 Section D’s and 21 Part Breds. As expected the little Section A colt foals were a difficult trade however there was plenty of buyers around the ring for them who were competing for them up to a certain price. The average on the colt foals was 15 guineas. The filly foals were a much better trade averaging well over 40 guineas up to 210guineas for a chestnut filly foal by the name of Blaenau Vevina from Messrs Greenow, Blaenau Mawr, Cwmdu.

The Section B’s averaged 212guineas up to 225guineas for a 6 year old grey mare by the name of Celton Evita forward by Messrs Jones, Penlan, Painscastle. There was a small contingent of Section C’s forward with the colts averaging 63 guineas up to 70 guineas for a two year old black colt and the top price in this section went to Messrs Davies, Wernlas who presented Poundy Sam, a five year old chestnut gelding that made 220 guineas.

There was an excellent show of Section D’s on offer with the colt foals averaging just short of 90 guineas up to 118 guineas for a bay colt foal by the name of Hepste Prince from Messrs Harris, Ty Cerrig. The filly foals, as expected, were a stronger trade averaging 120guineas up to 140 guineas for a May born filly foal by the name of Heddfan Grace from Mr Edwards of Brecon. The top price in this section of 4600 guineas has already been mentioned however we did have several other entries breaking the four figure barrier. Llanveynoe Flash Harry a 3 year old chestnut gelding riding horse from Ms Heather Probert, Longtown soared to 1000 guineas.

The Welsh Part breds were also considered to be a good trade when considering the current climate. The top price in this section was 650 guineas for a  presented by Messrs Herdman, Clyro Hill. There was also a good run yearling colts and filly’s from Messrs Kirk, Penymarth, Builth Wells who had a skewbald yearling filly by the name of Honddu Puzzle making 480 guineas and a yearling piebald colt making 350 guineas.

There was a varied range of horse and ponies in the non registered and commercial section with a noted run of coloured filly foals forward by Messrs Roberts Tydu farm averaging 274 guineas up to a very pleasing 380 guineas.

The auctioneer would like to point out that although it was pleasing to have a significant amount of late entries forward it was clear to see that those that were fully entered in the catalogue with a full description of the breeding and comments were definitely at an advantage to those that were entered as late entries. Therefore we would actively encourage vendors to enter before the closing date for the catalogue of the next sale.

All in all I think most who attended the sale were very pleased with the outcome and as a result it is Sunderlands & Thompsons full intention to hold another similar sale in the New Year. Once again Sunderlands & Thompsons and particularly the auctioneer would like to personally thank everyone who has supported the sale and we look forward to seeing you again shortly.