I’VE lived in Dublin all my life and currently work as a wealth manager, advising high-net-worth individuals. So breeding is an extracurricular activity. Whilst it’s still early days, I hope to have some international success in the years ahead.

I don’t come from a ‘horsey’ family, although my brother and I both rode during our teenage years with the late Sue Langran at Happy Valley Riding School, Carrickmines. Somehow, I even managed to compete quite successfully in dressage!

I gave up horse-riding for over 20 years, but thankfully, got back in the saddle during 2009 and it mushroomed from there. I always had an interest in the breeding aspect of Thoroughbred racehorses, but decided to start breeding show jumpers in 2014, with the purchase of two KWPN ‘blacktype’ broodmares through VDL Stud.

In 2015, through a series of sliding door moments, I was one of the driving forces behind the first official team sponsor of Ireland’s Aga Khan team and was blessed to be behind the scenes during that memorable winning day in the RDS with Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor, Conor Swail, Darragh Kenny, Greg Broderick and Robert Splaine.

1. Proudest breeder moment?

Firstly, I’m not embarrassed to acknowledge that I’m a relative breeding novice and still learning from my mistakes. It’s still early days in the breeding programme journey.

The horse that gave me ‘butterflies’ from day one was Nikora TSH (Bjurfors Nikora). His journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions; from being very slowly produced, sold as a green five-year-old to the Allen family’s Ballywalter Stables, then becoming the most expensive Irish Sport Horse sold at public auction for €1.9m (Aloga Auction 2024), and subsequently going on to win the MET Young Horse Champion Trophy for six-year-olds with Jonna Ekberg in December. I think there’s a lot more to come from ‘Nico’.

2. Tell us about your breeding programme?

My initial aim was, and still is, to breed international show jumpers capable of competing at Grand Prix level. I originally decided to only source broodmares with strong blacktype show jumping performers throughout their damlines. I believe that should give me a better chance of reaching my breeding goals, rather than relying on some fluke from a damline that has no blacktype.

I’ve been lucky enough to attend several international show jumping events, from GCTs to European Championships, which illustrate what attributes horses need to compete at the highest level. Indeed, the 2015 European championships course walk in Aachen was quite simply jaw-dropping. I firmly believe that every breeder needs to have a specific goal in mind for their breeding, whether for leisure purposes or international championships.

We’ve used both ET and ICSI in the past few seasons on older broodmares, with varying degrees of success. I think every breeder, who thinks about using advanced reproduction technologies, needs to have their eyes firmly wide open.

3. “Fools breed foals for wise men to buy.” Agree/disagree?

I may have heard that saying whispered behind my back once or twice! In the end, there’s a lot of luck involved in breeding, from conception to foaling to x-rays to production.

I think it all depends upon your breeding programme objectives – is it simply a hobby? For the love of it? Or is it a business and the financial outcome is ever-important? Every breeder has a different set-up and different goals.

At the end of the day, I do this for the love of horses. Sometimes, I feel the breeder does not get the recognition, nor the price, they deserve, especially given the increasing costs associated with raising youngstock - unfortunately that’s how breeding is.

Sometimes we try and produce; sometimes we sell as a foal. If possible, I like to have one being produced each year, but there’s no great rhyme or reason. All I can do is to try and “breed the best to the best and hope for the best to be bred!”

4. Number of broodmares?

I’m keeping everything crossed that all goes to plan (it usually never does!) and we shall have all four broodmares producing foals this season:

5. The standout stallion(s) on the current international scene?

I’ve always been a strong admirer of Aganix du Seigneur, Comme Il Faut, Eldorado VD Zeshoek and Luidam – all of which I’ve used at some stage. Just wish I’d more on the ground by them.

Of those competing in sport right now, it has to be Ermitage Kalone (Catoki x Kannan), that stands out with his effortless style. Of the less well-known stallions, which will likely see more progeny coming through at the higher end of the sport, I like Mosito van het Hellehof (Elvis ter Putte x Nabab de Reve), Cascadello I (Casall x Clearway) and By Cera d’Ick (Stakkato x Landadel). All of the above stallions are part of initial breeding plans for 2025/6.

6. If you could have bred any horse?

It’s not a surprise given Britt W’s damline – Ratina Z. I’m very partial to a mare who fights for her rider. Milton comes a close second.

7. TSH is yours, thoughts on prefixes?

From day one, I decided to register TSH, which stands for Tekapo Sport Horses, with the Central Prefix Register. I simply thought it was the best way to get some recognition for anything I bred and could act as a form of promotion.

Tekapo comes from Lake Tekapo in New Zealand, where my wife Helena and I were married. I also manage Instagram and Facebook pages for interaction with the sport.

I don’t think that breeders get enough recognition and believe that authorities shouldn’t allow a prefix to be removed without express permission received from the prefix owner.

I also appreciate the view of owners and producers but, in my opinion, usually a compromise can be agreed upon regarding naming.

Unfortunately, due to an administrative oversight, Bjurfors Nikora lost his TSH prefix. Elsewhere, the FEI needs to provide better acknowledgment to breeders in a similar fashion to what has been introduced for grooms during TV coverage.

8. Irish show jumping breeding - on the rise?

Most definitely. Aided by breeders being more targeted in their production goals, investing in higher quality damlines and using proven stallions. I have to say that the Horse Sport Ireland/DAFM breeding schemes/initiatives have been a helpful additional support. I’d like to see the DAFM Knowledge Transfer groups re-start. Hopefully, we are on our way to producing more horses to compete on the same level as our plentiful, locally-produced international riders!

9. “It takes a team” - who’s on yours?

Most importantly, I’d be lost without my older brother Mark, who looks after all the broodmares and youngstock at his Laois home. Some day, I’ll own my own farm outside of Dublin!

Elsewhere, Jonathan Cleary and Sam Veti-Nurse of Piermount Stables, Thurles continue to do a wonderful job breaking and producing our horses. We also have numerous farriers, repro vets, etc. on call - it really does take a small village. And I shouldn’t forget my long-suffering wife, who lets me indulge in my hobby (obsession!).

10. Best piece of financial advice?

Never invest in anything that eats while you sleep!