ENNISNAG Stud is based in Co Kilkenny and is a family-run business that has been passed down from generation to generation. Leveraging off the experience and knowledge of our father Andy, we have built up a business that has been very successful in producing numerous international horses over the last number of years.

We currently are expanding the business to incorporate a selection of stallions, where the goal is to offer a number of both proven 1.60m stallions, along with younger promising stallions that we will produce up through the ranks.

This is something that we have been working towards over the last number of years.

1. Proudest moment(s) as a breeder?

We have had many memorable days over the years but one that stands out the most was Cameron Hanley and our home-bred ESI Toulouse (Livello x Quasimodo van de Molendreef) representing Ireland at Nations Cup level. Hopefully he will go on to compete for Ireland on a future Aga Khan team or in a major championship.

2. ESI Indigo, one of the successful home-bred stallions at this year’s Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) stallion inspections, was also one of several ESI stallions passed at Cavan. Thoughts on the inspections?

The stallion inspections were a great success for us this year with three stallions being approved. Bravour VDL (Brantzau - Cassini I) passing Stage 1, ESI Indigo (Dakar x Guidam) passing Stage 2 and the Elite BWP-approved stallion Hos D’O (Tialoc la Silla x Cumano) becoming fully approved with the HSI studbook in Ireland. And we have additional exciting stallions awaiting Warmblood Studbook of Ireland (WSI) approval later in the year.

3. Favourite broodmare(s)?

Arabella (Heartbreaker x Cavalier Royale) would have to be our favourite as she was a fantastic mare that jumped 1.50m with Cian O’Connor. She is from the family of Special Envoy (King of Diamonds x Highland Flight xx), Vivaldi (Imperius xx x Water Serpent xx), Diamond Exchange (Diamond Serpent x Arctic Que xx), Radar (Highland Flight xx x Water Serpent xx) and Harley (Huntsman xx x Water Serpent xx) and multiple other international horses. She is from the Kells line and has been a very special mare to us.

4. How many broodmares do you currently have?

We currently have 25 broodmares on the farm that have all either jumped 1.60m or are directly related to 1.60m horses that have performed themselves at the very top of the international sport.

We carefully select our mares ensuring that they come from a very strong pedigree with numerous 1.50m and 1.60m horses in the first three dams.

5. What are the longterm goals for Ennisnag Stud?

Over the last 12 years we have been continuously fine-tuning our broodmare band to a stage where we now feel we have a number of exciting young sporthorses coming through the system each year.

A number of these home-breds are stallions and will be offered to breeders in Ireland, in conjunction with their sports career.

6. Embryo transfer, ICSI, etc. – what do you think about such options for breeding sport horses?

We won’t be doing ICSI.

Until there is enough evidence to suggest that it is a no-brainer, we will continue to breed naturally with the occasional embryo transfer on mares still in sport.

7. Irish show jumping breeding – on the rise?

I think that it is evident that Irish horses and riders are breaking new ground each year. You only have to look at the results from the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) championships at Lanaken over the last few years to see that we are as good as any country in the world at producing horses for the big stage.

Also, with six Irish riders currently in the top 50 in the FEI rankings, it puts us in a very strong position for success in the coming years.

We also have five of the top 30 show jumping breeders [Simon Scott (fifth), Judy Murphy (sixth), Ita Brennan (11th), John Clarke (27th) and Marion Hughes (28th)] in the latest Hippomundo rankings for 2021.

This is all very positive stuff for the future.

8. It takes a team – who is on yours?

We are very fortunate to have a great team around us who put their heart and souls in to making our dreams come true.

From Shem, Adrian and Davi in the yard, to Margaret and Catherine in the office. And then our father Andy, who, at the age of 84, is still on hand daily to give us his valued opinion on all the young horses to his grandson, Andy, aged eight, who is always on hand to give us a dig out.

9. Best advice you ever got?

Back your own judgement.

10. What’s the best part about breeding sport horses?

It’s wonderful that we get to do something that is our passion.