IRISH-owned stallions scored a 100% approval rate at the Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) inspections held in Warwickshire, England, on Wednesday.

Owners of seven Irish Draught stallions had initially intended to travel to the cross-channel inspections alternative, following Horse Sport Ireland (HSI)’s decision last November to suspend springtime inspections this year. That controversial decision has since been reversed with two days of inspections set to take place at Cavan Equestrian Centre from April 19th–20th, followed by Cavan’s rescheduled stallion parade on Wednesday evening (April 20th).

However, three owners decided to still travel to the inspections, held at Warwickshire College in Morton Morrell.

“The entry was made and the x-rays were already done so that’s why we’re still travelling over,” said Kenny Bell, explaining his and wife Wendy’s decision to go ahead. The Derry couple’s three-year-old Castleview Inisfree Farmer was the first of the Irish entries to gain Class 1 approval, followed by another successful candidate in Goldsmithcountry Oliver, owned by a delighted Denis O’Brien, from Rathmore.

Galwayman Jimmy Quinn then had both his stallions – Cappa Amadeus and Cappa Emperor – approved.

“It was a disgrace [that] Irish horses had to travel to England to be inspected but it was well worth the journey,” said Quinn afterwards. Another Irish-bred export to gain Class 1 approval was Bruce Kim-Langley’s Carrigfada Grey Mist, by Rebel Flagmount, bred in Louisburgh by Jim Cooke and Lynn Fitzpatrick.

“It’s a clean sweep for the Irish!” remarked onlooker Enid Lord, who bred another of Quinn’s Irish Draught stallions, Ballineen Its William.

Wednesday’s inspection panel consisted of its chief inspector Mary Wilson, (a sister of sales agent Clare Ryan), Vicky Matthews, John Newborough and Ellen Walton, together with visiting Irish inspectors, Michael Kirwan and Charlotte Moore. Overall the judges were pleased with the standard of the stallion prospects and presentation standards.

Teagasc advisor Declan McArdle was in charge of the efficient arena party with the inspection format, following the Cavan template.

Another Irish link was veterinary surgeon Liam Kearns, part of Cheltenham Races veterinary team the previous week. Kearns, who selected Annie Power and Sprinter Sacre’s wins as his Cheltenham highlights, is originally from Mooncoin where his father Thomas stood the dual Dublin champion stallion Kildalton Gold.

IDHS(GB) chairperson Sue Benson welcomed the support from both sides of the Irish Sea and indicated the strength of feeling amongst the Irish Draught fraternity to continue with inspections in order to maintain and improve the quality of our endangered breed.

“We have been very happy to help and accommodate the four Irish stallions. We also have 14 mares coming forward, (normally only a couple at this time of year), on Thursday, all wanting to be graded in case the [HSI] system changes. It just goes to show the strength of feeling over the possibility of the cessation of the current inspection system,” added Benson.

As a daughter society, the IDHS (GB) inspection results are recognised by Horse Sport Ireland.

approved Class 1 stallions

Kenny & Wendy Bell’s Castleview Inisfree Farmer (2013 Tors Gentleman Farmer – White River, by Carrabawn View. Breeder: Richard Murphy.

Denis O’Brien’s Goldsmithcountry Oliver (2012. Holycross - Goldsmithcountry Molly, by Grange Bouncer. Breeder: Aidan Flanagan.

Jimmy Quinn’s Cappa Amadeus (2013. Cooloo Crest - Mountpelier Gentle Diamond, by Donovan. Breeder: Alan Farrar.

Jimmy Quinn’s Cappa Emperor (2010. Creggan Emperor - Cormaglava Blaze, by The Pride of Gloster. Breeder: Catherine Corcoran.