Monart Elite Horse Sale Records Best Sale to Date

Organisers of the Monart Elite Horse Sale have announced the 2020 sale has recorded the best sales to date, despite the COVID-19 pandemic persisting.

Held in Ireland, the event enjoyed bidding and sales from a selection 5* riders including Michael Jung (GER), Kitty King (GBR) and Nicola Wilson (GBR). Held online, due to the current restrictions in place – with a new business model, the sale proved a huge success, with particular features secured for 2021.

We’re thrilled that it worked and how every aspect played out”

confirmed Sales Director, and Irish Olympian, Niall Griffin.

The sale exceeded all of our expectations, being truly honest. If it had been a normal year, for us to turn up and run a normal sale, then this would have still exceeded expectations,”

It’s been our best sale to date.”

He concluded.

With a clearance rate expected to exceed 80% and average prices rising from €11,000 in previous years to €13,000 in 2020, notable buyers included:

• Lot 8 – €17,500, plus Lot 45 post sale – former world number 1, double Olympic Champion and Rolex Grand Slam winner Michael Jung (GER)
• Lot 9 – €13,000 – Olympian and European medallist Kitty King (GBR)
• Lot 73 – €15,000 – Olympic silver medallist and World Gold Medallist Nicola Wilson (GBR)
• Lot 32 & 63 – €13,000 & €12,000 – Olympians Trish & Michael Ryan (IRE)

Riders want to try and find a good horse and to have these upper-level riders keep coming back, it gives us a lot of confidence that we’re on the right track and we’re providing them with the sort of horses they want to buy.  Because, if we weren’t, they wouldn’t keep coming back.  It’s a real stamp of approval”

added sales selector and 5* rider Bill Levett.

The top lot knocked down at €29,000 for Richie O’Hara’s Kilbunny Blue Bird.  The Kilbunny Blue 3-year-old gelding saw significant interest from the UK and Germany and eventually sold to British based company Awarded2U Ltd.

American buyers have had a strong presence at Monart for a number of years with 2020 being no different.  Henry Foley’s lot 101 went for the second highest price, €26,000.   The Chapeau TN x Nelson Z 3-year-old Mei-Fleure makes his way state side to Katie Malensek, along with the grey stallion MRF Qwlkstep (Metropole x Exit To Nowhere) who sold for €20,500.

Full sales results can be found via www.themonartsale.com/sale-results

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.