THE recent deal activity within the equine trade sector continued this week when the prominent UK-based helmet maker Champion was bought by Irish sports entrepreneur Michael O’Rourke.

The news follows the recent buyout of Kildare-based company TRM by the Equine Care Group.

Champion was established in 1975 by Cardiff man John Ayres, and is one of the most recognisable brands in the equine industry.

Renowned for its safety standards, Champion was at one point the only helmet professional jockeys were permitted to wear when riding on the track in the UK. During his racing career Ruby Walsh was an omnipresent brand ambassador for Champion. Champion also makes the Ti22 body protector favoured by a large portion of event riders nowadays.

In the context of Ireland trying to expand its reputation as the land of all things equine, to have another industry champion (pardon the pun!) Irish-owned can be seen as a very positive development.