Nerves evaporate for Jerry Horan as he takes to the Goffs rostrum

There was a fresh face on the Goffs rostrum during the February Sale this week, but one could be forgiven for thinking Jerry Horan had years of auctioneering experience under his belt.

"I was nervous getting up but got into it after a while," said Horan of his first stint. "I got a lot of help from Nick Nugent and Andrew Nolan, who gave up a lot of their own time to show me the ropes.

"I practised going along in the car but no one would've heard how bad I was then!"

Horan, whose parents are the proprietors of Horan's Bar and Restaurant in County Wicklow, began riding ponies and eventually started buying and selling them before completing an equine science course at the University of Limerick.

Later he went on to complete the Irish National Stud breeding course, following in the footsteps of fellow Goffs auctioneers Henry Beeby, Andrew Nolan and George Stanners.

Horan said: "I've always had a passion for sales and auctions - I love the atmosphere and buzz of it and since visiting auctions I've always aspired to be an auctioneer. I bid-spotted at Goffs and Magic Millions and that was also a huge benefit.

"The opportunities to become an auctioneer are limited in Ireland but if you have the licence, people are willing to give you a chance, and I was lucky the Donohoe family at Goresbridge started me off.

"I also have to thank my friend Pádraic Gahan, a neighbour of mine who worked at Goffs, as his father had a mare and that's how I got interested in the sales.

"My aim is to get as much mileage on the clock and try to improve on what I've learned so far."

To get his licence, Horan completed a part-time Higher Certificate in Valuation, Sale and Management with the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers and auctioneered at a number of sales, including at Goresbridge in recent months.

Horan appears to have a strong future in auctioneering, with Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby adding that he "made a superb start and was quickly into his stride with little hint of any nerves".

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