'He was an iconic auctioneer and the consummate professional'

Clive Gardner, an international guest auctioneer at the Goffs Orby and November Sales between 1981 and 2012, died on Monday night at the age of 71, having continued on the rostrum in his native South Africa until recently.

A highly regarded livestock auctioneer in South Africa, Gardner was a familiar face at the South African TBA's National Yearling Sale in Johannesburg.

David Nagle of Goffs worked alongside Gardner in South Africa in the 70s and early 80s and, together with Jonathan Irwin, persuaded Gardner to auctioneer in Ireland.

"He was an iconic auctioneer and the consummate professional," said Henry Beeby, group chief executive of Goffs Group. "He had enormous authority, control and charisma on the rostrum and a beautiful, melodic, baritone voice with great depth and resonance.

"He was one of those people you would listen to and think 'what a lovely voice'. He brought something very special to the Goffs rostrum.

"In the early days, in the 80s, he was a bit of a trailblazer in terms of putting a bit more speed into the delivery, along with the likes of David Nagle and Sir Peter Nugent. We now go at a different pace to what they used to.

"He was a very popular, respected and revered auctioneer and a charming, charismatic and fun character. I first worked alongside him in 2000, when I guest-auctioneered at Goffs. I learned a huge amount from him.

"I was very sad when he said in 2012 that the time had come to step down."

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