The Royal Dublin Society is proud to introduce a major new initiative for Ireland’s sport horse breeders: the inaugural RDS Sale of Elite Show Jumping Foals, which will take place during the 2026 Dublin Horse Show. The RDS in collaboration with one of Ireland’s premier auction houses, Goffs will select and curate a premium collection of foals to auction, reflecting the Society’s commitment to supporting Irish breeders and strengthening the visibility of Irish-bred horses on the international stage.
Applications for the sale will open on 25 May 2026, coinciding with the opening of entries for the Dublin Horse Show, and will remain open until 15 June. Breeders are invited to submit foals born in 2026 that are supported by five-star show jumping pedigrees with strong 'black-type' performance dam lines, and clear commercial potential. All applications will be reviewed by a panel of internationally respected selectors, who will invite suitable foals to attend one of two selection days. More detailed application criteria and the venues for these selection days will be announced shortly.
This new venture has been initiated to give Irish breeders a world-class platform at a pivotal moment in the production cycle. By presenting elite foals at the Dublin Horse Show; an event that attracts owners, riders, investors, and equine enthusiasts from around the world, the RDS aims to open new commercial pathways for Irish breeders and to showcase the depth and quality of their bloodlines. Every breeder who presents a foal for selection will receive a high-quality sales video and professional photographs, ensuring that each foal benefits from strong promotional assets regardless of the final selection outcome.
Following the selection process, sixteen foals will be chosen for inclusion in the sale. These foals will be presented in-hand in Ring 1 on Friday 7 August, offering buyers and spectators an opportunity to see them up close. A dedicated viewing period will follow in the stabling area that afternoon. The auction itself will take place later that evening in the Laya Arena, immediately after the Nations’ Cup of Ireland, with Goffs providing their bespoke auction expertise to ensure a premium experience for both breeders and buyers.
The collection will be supported by an extensive marketing and outreach campaign, including a professionally produced sales catalogue, an online sales platform and gallery, and promotion across RDS and Goffs digital channels. The foals and their pedigrees will also be featured in the Dublin Horse Show catalogue, which reaches thousands of attendees and industry stakeholders each year. Additional promotional support will be provided by the Irish Horse Board and other industry partners.
Fiona Sheridan, Dublin Horse Show Director, commented:
“We are truly excited to launch this sale in partnership with Goffs. This initiative reflects the RDS commitment to celebrating excellence in Irish breeding, expanding market access for our breeders, and reinforcing Ireland’s standing as a producer of world-class show jumping horses. Presenting a select group of foals for sale in such a historic and distinctive setting, before an intentional and international audience, offers a great opportunity to showcase the quality of Irish bloodlines and to reward the dedication of the breeders behind them’’.
Henry Beeby, Goffs Group Chief Executive, commented:
“Goffs is delighted to have been appointed to conduct the sale of elite show jumping foals on behalf of the RDS and will bring our global experience together with our impeccable standards of auctioneering and integrity to this world class event at the iconic Dublin Horse Show. Goffs has a rich history with the RDS having conducted sales in Ballsbridge for nearly 100 years whilst we have ties with the wider sport horse sector as several of our team have acted as auctioneers, judges, commentators and exhibitors in recent times. We are confident that the RDS/Goffs partnership will quickly ensure that this sale is a world leader that attracts the cream of the crop each year”.
Full details and application information will be available shortly at www.dublinhorseshow.com
For further information, please contact:
RDS Equestrian Department - equestrian@rds.ie
Fiona Sheridan - fiona.sheridan@rds.ie
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