I’M from Templeudigan, 10 minutes outside New Ross in Co Wexford. My late parents, Ned and Joan, milked about 20 dairy cows until the 1990s, but horses were always the priority. My siblings and I jumped ponies and horses at our local gymkhanas and the next generation has continued our interest as my nieces and nephew currently buy and produce Connemara ponies.

Ned bought a foundation mare called Alice (by Aeolian) in the early 1960s. I’m now breeding with the seventh generation of this line, which includes crosses by Patrick (TB), Wilton House (TB), Clover Hill (ID), Laughton’s Flight (ISH) and King’s Master (ISH).

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Dad bought lorryloads of horses from Clare breeders to be produced and later sold at the RDS. From the 1980s onwards, I jumped horses on the local circuit before selling them to the UK or Europe.

I’ve taught at CBS New Ross for 30 years and developed our unique Equestrian Studies course for transition year students. Married to Mary, also a secondary schoolteacher, we have four children: Kate (9), Niamh (8) and twins Edward and Éanna (6).

1. Proudest moment as a breeder?

Breeding the 2019 Go For Gold graduate Kilbunny Emperor (Emperor Augustus x Frankfort Boy) and watching the bidding battle between Emily King and the underbidder, Olympic and former world champion Michael Jung, before he was sold for €30,000.

I was thrilled for Richie O’Hara of Kilbunny Sport Horses. In selling, I believe, “You have to leave room for the next man,” even if, in this case, there was more room than we expected!

2. Wexford has a great reputation for breeding and producing horses?

The tradition of country shows, gymkhanas, point-to-points, hunting and Pony Club in Wexford has resulted in a great reputation for producing horses and horse people. The land really suits breeding and rearing youngstock.

We’ve produced trainers like Jim Bolger, Aidan O’Brien and Paul Nolan, National Hunt jockeys like Conor O’Dwyer, Mick Fitzgerald, Jamie Codd, Sean Flanagan and Tom O’Brien and several others.

Interestingly our top point-to-point trainers Colin Bowe and the Doyles of Monbeg would have started with sport horse production.

In showjumping, Wexford produced Con Power and Bertram Allen. I’m really excited by the progress being made by Kilkenny rider Jack Ryan, who is a grandson of my neighbours, Jerry and Mary Ryan.

We’re lucky also to have facilities like Barnadown and Wexford Equestrian Centre in the county and the likes of Jason Higgins, Henry Foley and Tómas Doyle and Marti Rudd from Monbeg Sport Horses have brought sales preparation and young horse production to a new level.

3. The late Max Hauri was a great customer for your father’s horses. How has selling changed since?

In the past our horses would have been spotted at local shows by the likes of the late Seamus Hughes and subsequently sold from the yard or brought to the special sales in Goresbridge. Being so close to Goresbridge was always a help.

In recent years, elite event horse sales have brought a new dimension to producing and selling horses. Most of my sales are from the yard to loyal past customers, referrals from customers or through social media.

One thing that has remained constant in our house is, as our friend Eamon Sheehan of Cuffesgrange Horses, said; “Tea and/or drink is compulsory, buying a horse is optional”. This philosophy has rewarded us with both sales and lifelong friendships.

Smiling in the rain: The Kavanagh family at the Wexford Hunt hunter trials last October \ Tom Kavanagh

4. Favourite broodmare, past or present?

Definitely Forest Clover (Clover Hill) because of her background and Dad’s relationship with the late Philip Heenan. I remember waiting, with her dam Forest Fern (Wilton House) in hobbles, while Philip returned Clover Hill to the stable to treat a bird with sunstroke. One of the stories that made that era of Irish horse breeding unique!

Another favourite was my uncle Owen Conway’s mare Lomond Imp (Master Imp). I was incredulous when she failed the premier broodmare inspection after being asked “Is she hot?”. She went on to produce outstanding horses, including Lomond Master, SH Joy and SH Victoria which started my connection with Swiss buyer Silvia Hoffstetter. I haven’t shown a mare at HSI inspections since and my faith in Master Imp has obviously been repaid many times over.

5. Favourite stallions?

Past favourites would definitely include King of Diamonds, Clover Hill, Ballinvella, Diamonds Are Trumps, Cloneen Clover, Master Imp, Wilton House and Frankfort Boy. My current favourite is Emperor Augustus (TB) because he produces good looking horses with movement, athleticism and a brilliant temperament.

6. Which markets do you breed for?

My main aim is to breed an elite event horse for the international market. If they don’t turn out to be a top-class eventer, I hope they will suit the leisure/amateur/hunting market. I try to produce the odd hunter, if a horse can survive in Wexford behind Mary Kehoe MFH and Michael Condon, then they will absolutely thrive elsewhere.

The American show hunter and amateur market is also something I try to breed for. The biggest challenge in breeding is to try to make a small profit. Being able to break, show and produce horses myself means no big production costs.

7. How many broodmares do you currently have and what are they in foal to?

I also have some lovely fillies from the above bloodlines that are always for sale!

8. Several schoolteachers have featured in recent horse-breeding articles. What have you learned from horses and horse-breeding?

School teaching and part-time breeding are a good match with the biggest advantage being that you’re not having to rely on horses for a main income and therefore never having to pressurise a horse or myself for results. It means you can sell the right horse at the right time to the right customer.

Education has taught me that kindness, manners and social skills will take you anywhere; the same applies to a horse.

I was very taken by the Tom Roberts’ quote: “Perhaps the greatest kindness you can do any horse is to educate him well – good manners both in the stable and under the saddle.”

I probably learned the importance of conformation watching the likes of show producers such as Luke Doyle, George Chapman, Walter Kent, the Roches of Assagart etc. Patience was emphasised by the late Ted Kelly of Clologue.

9. Best advice you got?

Most advice would have come from my Dad, such as “an empty stable is better than a bad tenant” and “it is better to be sorry for selling than sorry for keeping”.

In breeding he always said: “You go as much to the man as to the horse”, so it is no surprise that we have always dealt with the likes of the Hattons of Slyguff, Philip Heenan, Marion Hughes, Norman Kearney, Jack Kearns, Sean Kenneally, Walter Kent, Des and Derek Noctor, Ian Smyth, etc.

10. What do you think about the future of the sport horse breeding industry?

I am hugely optimistic for the future with the level of breeding, producing and riding talent we have in Ireland. Those aiming to breed top jumpers have made huge strides in recent years and we continue to be towards the top of event horse breeding.

I’m delighted there has been a realisation of the need for a high percentage of thoroughbred breeding for eventing.