I’VE been a farmer all my life, running a suckler herd and a flock of sheep near Downpatrick. I breed working collies and keep a variety of poultry, including peafowl. I’ve always been interested in horses and ponies and have been breeding horses for some 40 years, as well as running a pony herd and a traditional coloured cob stallion for breeding Irish cobs.

1. How long have you been breeding Irish Draughts?

I have always been interested in the traditional Irish horse and bought Come T (Carrabawn View x O’Malley), my first Class 1 Draught stallion, from Mrs Frances Doherty as a foal in 1996.

Come T went on to compete in dressage and show jumping, achieving a bronze merit. Following his success, I sourced some lovely Irish Draught mares from various lines, including Clover Hill and Ginger Dick as a foundation for my Draught herd.

2. Come T features in many of your stock?

I’m obviously very proud of Come T and his achievements. My original Draught mares were by Clover Inn and Powerswood Purple, otherwise my foundation stock are all by him [Come T] and I also have two of his Class 2 stallion sons.

Come T has produced four Class 2 Draught stallion sons to date, with more still to be inspected. He has also produced many successful show horses and cobs, including the HOYS winner Bling Cobsby.

His daughter Loughkeeland Sunrise has now produced the Class 1 stallion Loughkeeland Benedict, the first of her youngstock to be put up for approval.

3. The home-bred Loughkeeland Benedict (Lislap Benedict x Loughkeeland Sunrise) was another of the home-bred Class 1 approved stallions at this year’s Horse Sport Ireland stallion inspections. Thoughts on the inspections?

It was a well-organised day and Cavan Equestrian Centre is an ideal venue for the purpose. It’s important to preserve and promote the breed and ensure their important place in Ireland’s history. I also think it important to have breeding animals of either sex assessed by a panel of experts to keep the herd up to standard, both for looks and performance.

4. Proudest moment(s) as a breeder?

Over the years I have bred many useful Irish Draughts and half-breds that have performed well in various fields, including show jumping and the hunting field, but my proudest moment was undoubtedly breeding Loughkeeland Sunrise (Come T x Finns Clover Inn). She was my first pedigree Draught filly foal and I refused tempting offers for her as a foal.

Now, it’s her son Loughkeeland Benedict who has achieved his Class 1 status as a breeding stallion, vindicating my faith in her.

Incidentally, Sunrise has produced a line of sons and I currently have her foal from last year, yearling, two-year-old and three-year-old all on the farm, including two of her daughters: Loughkeeland Star and Loughkeeland Classic Sunrise (both by Tullyreavy Classic Master).

5. What is your template of an Irish Draught?

Good bone, quiet temperament, athletic movement and the ability to jump, they must be able to perform. The breed evolved from a strong working horse with a pleasant disposition who could leave the plough behind when required and follow hounds all day without tiring.

These unique qualities must be preserved. Temperament is paramount in the Draught; he must be sensible and amenable to his task as this is one of the best selling point of any horse. It’s no use having a beautiful, active and talented animal if no one can ride it.

Breeders continue to breed excellent examples of the breed and I felt the standard of stallions on show in Cavan was encouraging.

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

Six, starting with Aughrim Berry, bought in-foal to Spirit House on her mare grading day.

7. How and where do you sell your foals?

I have always kept Draught fillies to increase my herd and I sell half-breds, ponies and cobs through word of mouth. I’m fortunate that people interested in the breed always come back for another and/or recommend me to their friends. I do not have to advertise any of the horses.

8. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Irish Draught breeders?

The money it takes to keep them. They take a long time to produce and there are always pressures to sell them along the way.

9. Why do you continue to breed Irish Draughts?

I think breeding Irish Draughts is a labour of love and you need to have an abiding interest in the breed to continue to raise stock, run them on to four years old to have them broken and ridden and having spent all that time and money on them.

You will never get rich breeding horses but you do get a lot of satisfaction breeding good horses and watching them perform well for other people.

10. It takes a team – who’s on yours?

I do most of the horse work on the farm myself with help from my siblings, nephews and nieces as required. I have been fortunate in meeting several good breeders along the way, including Mrs Doherty, Moira McKenna (Millhollow Stud) and Patrick Traynor, who stands Lislap Benedict. Also, vet Rachel Kinnaird helps with some veterinary work and produced Loughkeeland Benedict for the stallion approval day.