WHAT did he ever breed afterwards?”

It’s the quintessential question asked about the number of equine household names a stallion has produced and often heard during ringside debates, including those held at the annual Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) stallion inspections, which take place this year from March 20th-21st at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Cavan has been the home of the HSI central inspections since 2010, when the new system was unveiled. Light years from the era of Ennis vet PJ Howard who, as described by Johnny Fennell in last year’s West Limerick feature, travelled by train, hired a bicycle and then cycled to view stallions for the Horse Board, then in its post-Free State infancy.

Or the 20/20 vision of the legendary Dick Jennings; one example of his carte blanche remit in the 1970s is how he gave the horse world the ‘Irish Draught’ Clover Hill.

As quaint and charming as those anecdotes are, selecting stallions moved on to inspector panels, performance testing and pre-2010 central inspection venues, such as Millstreet and at Tom Slattery’s Stilo Farm.

Cavan saw the introduction of the HSI-branded arena and a team of handlers, led by Declan McArdle and Brendan Doyle, the introduction of linear scoring, stringent vetting and the public announcement of scores and the panel’s summary.

2010 also attracted the largest number of overseas Irish Draught enthusiasts, who travelled from Canada, Britain and the USA to see at first-hand the new system.

Ten years after that buzz at the inaugural event, there was a very different atmosphere at Cavan in March as the pandemic closed in and two weeks before the first nationwide lockdown was announced.

Kylemore Stud’s Olive and Ivor Broderick with their five-star stallion Tyson, sire of Christian Kukuk’s Global Champions Tour prizewinner Just Be Gentle, at the 2017 inspections \ Susan Finnerty

Stars and Candy

Entries have dropped from the initial surge of 100+ in the early years to 41 in 2024. There’s a number of factors; cost is one - last year an owner totted up the inspection process costs, including entry fees, vetting and production, and came up with a total of €3,000.

Stallion owners scaling back or retiring, increased competition from the overseas AI market, ‘green passports for all’ ending the stigma of non-approved stallion’s progeny receiving blue books and a certain lack of faith in the process, including the timeframe of achieving Approved status, are other factors.

For Irish Draughts, the process is quicker, either a Class 1 (approved) or Class 2 verdict on the day, compared to sport horses.

Stage 1 is their first step, followed by Preliminary Approved (Stage 2) and fully Approved classification. (For space reasons, the list of Cavan graduates starts with Preliminary Approved. See www.horsesportireland.ie for current owners and stallion classification).

Not every Stage 1 stallion returned to Cavan or progressed further up the approvals ladder - Padraig Howley’s Sligo Candy Boy is the HSI inspections poster child, having climbed every step. Last December, he was awarded five-star and four-star status respectively for his eventing and show jumping progeny, which include Cooley Candyman and Tempo Manor.

Additionally, his three-year-old daughter MBF Stardust, consigned to the 2021 Goresbridge Go For Gold sale was the top-priced lot (€82,000) and, in 2023, Howley’s Sligo Cavalier Candy, by Sligo Candy Boy, became the next generation to start the approvals road and achieved Preliminary Approved status by the following year.

Five-star ratings have been awarded, both on inspection day or subsequently, to stallions such as Kylemore Stud’s Tyson, the Drumhowan-based pair of Colandro and Zapatero VDL and Keonan Stud’s Valent, (the sire of 2024 Kentucky CSI5*-L winner Cooley Rosalent, bred by Valent’s owner, Woods Rosbotham).

Drumhowan Stud are constant supporters of the Cavan inspections and Gladys McArdle made this insightful comment, saying: “It’s a costly process and sometimes, we do wonder is it worthwhile though?

“We have consistently presented stallions over the years; however, we see stallions never presented at our own stud being as well, and maybe more, supported than Approved stallions. It’s rather ironic!

“However, the Irish Draught stallion is the exception - Class 1 status does hold decent respect.”

“We passed!” Padraig Howley spreads the word after Sligo Cavalier Candy passed Stage 1 at the 2024 inspections \ Susan Finnerty

The vintage year

Andrea Etter is another to regularly present the Belmont House Stud team of stallions. Radolin was Preliminary Approved at the 2012 inspections and was later fully approved, gaining a four-star rating.

More successful Belmont entries included Celtic Hero B Z, sold to US rider Heather Caristo-Williams, and the sire-son combination of Ganesh Hero Z and Mr Connery B.

Lagans OBOS Quality, owned by Kennedy Bros Sport Horses and his breeder Leo Rice, passed Stage 1 in 2018 and continued with his competition career to be fully approved, plus a two-star classification, in 2020.

Mikey Pender’s highly-rated Madgeslane Luidam and Ronan Rothwell’s Boleybawn Alvaro, winner of the Cruising six-year-old final at Dublin last year, both passed the Preliminary Approved stage in 2022.

Susan Malee’s Carrabeg The Full Irish passed Stage 1 that same year and competed at the 2024 WBFSH studbook championships at Valkenswaard. Traditional-breds like him have become increasingly scarce.

Another Cavan TIH graduate is Democrat, who passed Stage 1 in 2019, was later approved, awarded a one-star rating and Finnian McLoughlin and Mark Condron’s stallion was one of 10 stallions, that had worked their way up the approvals ladder, invited back for last year’s retrospective sash presentation ceremony.

2013 was a vintage year with two sires of future Olympic horses - Kedrah House Stud’s Quidam Junior (MHS Going Global, Rio de Janeiro 2016) and Alan Robertson, Justin Burke and Stal Roelofs’ Tolan R (Cooley Nutcracker and HSH Blake, Paris 2024) - among that year’s graduates.

MHS Always, Tom and Sinead Brennan’s Preliminary Approved stallion at last year’s inspections, is out of MHS Glory Days, a full-sister to Greg Broderick’s Olympic horse.

Thoroughbreds

“Does he move straight?” Onlookers intently watching one of the Class of 2016 being trotted up at Cavan / Susan Finnerty

Different paths, thoroughbred stallion numbers at Cavan have varied, although there has been a two-generation approval.

Ann Lambert’s Robin de la Maison was also among the class of 2013 and, although a premature loss to the sport horse world, did produce Jack The Robin, approved in 2018.

Since 2014, a total of 21 thoroughbred stallions were approved on the day at Cavan. A couple of year’s work in the heyday of Howard and Jennings, but this is the reality of today’s market. We do see one future Croker Cup winner - Coolin House Stud’s Elusive Emir (winner in 2015, the year after his Cavan approval) among this group.

Like Celtic Hero B Z, Jack The Robin was also sold abroad, to stand in Belgium with Wim Schoukens. Stormhill Miller was another thoroughbred export, moving to Nina Barbour in Cheshire. Irish Draught stallion Scrapman travelled even further afield after his sale to Mexico.

More Cavan graduates have changed hands, some were gelded and others continue their competition careers abroad, such as Ennisnag Stud’s Lithium VS, now competing in young horse classes on the continent with Denis Lynch.

A welcome development was the creation of the Irish Sport Pony studbook, with later Cavan approvals entered into this seperate studbook.

“It’s great for the Irish home-bred pony’s future, which is seriously on the decline. We need to create our own Irish Pony identity. Apart from the Connemara, it is lost!” Sharon Walsh said at the 2022 inspections.

“I’m very passionate about this. I knew I had to breed my own, which I did and Cavan was the result of seven years planning. I managed to breed my own blood pony stallion [Pineview Junior Boss] and he’s 100% Irish!”

Horse Sport Ireland Cavan inspection results (2010-2024)

IRISH DRAUGHT STUDBOOK

CLASS 1

Philip Fleming’s Bally Vesta Silver Diamond

Tim Carey’s Fintan Himself

Chris Mannion’s Huntingfield Ruler

Ann Lambert’s Killinick Bouncer

Gerard Kelly’s King Alton

Henry Condell’s Leighlin Emperor

Frank Healy’s The Swarty Hero

Gabriel Slattery’s Welcome Emperor

P.J Fitzpatrick’s Carrabawn Cross

Joan Bellew’s Carrickcottage Star

Eamon McArdle’s Crystal Crest

James McNally’s Dunbeggan Grey Mist

Trevor Badger’s Eastern Hero

John Forrest’s Huntingfield Sunny C

Samuel D. Brown’s King of Mourne

Paul Maguire’s Scrapman

Patrick Murphy’s Tors Gentleman Farmer

Matt Loughnane’s Dunsandle Diamond

Anne Doyle’s Eponastables Uibh Fhaili

Francis Lafferty’s Gortfree Casanova

Patrick Murphy’s Inishfree The Holy Grail

Jay Bowe’s Kiltealy Silver

Sean Noone’s Beechmore Crest

John Walsh’s Ceide Prince

Russell & Judith Cowley’s Cloneyhea Paddy

Edwin McLoughlin’s Darragh Moylough Vision

Martin Bohane’s Drishane Diamond

Michael & Chris Mannion’s Western Blues

Tom Burke’s Castlegar Fingrove

Roy Butler’s Millhollow Real Mac Coy

Jimmy Quinn’s Cappa Aristocrat

Liam Lynskey’s DS Ballagh Bouncer

Sean Barker’s Gortfree Lakeside Lad

James Murphy’s Carrigfada Troy

David Doyle’s Cloncastle Silver Squire

Charles Dullea’s Killountain Cross

Russell & Judith Cowley’s Cloneyhea Spellbound

Seamus Duffy’s Kilmovee White Hero

Liam Lynskey’s Knockaleery Dancer

Pat Hoare’s Moylough Legacy

PJ Furey’s Zeus of the Blues

James Murphy’s Barnaview Grosvenors Star

Tom Burke’s Castlegar Cool Mist

Glenn Knipe’s Farmhill Highlander

Donal Goland’s Grandpas Rebel

Eddie Murphy’s Inisfree The Iron Cross

Danny Molloy’s The Bachelor

Martin Egan’s Archie The Great

Joe Sharkey’s Hollypark Diamond

Michael & Chris Mannion’s Windgap Reliance

Jimmy Quinn’s Cappa Sarsfield

Tom Burke’s Castlegar Cool Grove

Rita Coughlan’s Columcille Diamond Boy

Matthew Page’s Welcome Grandpa

James Quinn’s Cappa Capone

Denis O’Brien’s Carraigstud Jack

Sean Scannell’s Derrynasagurt Silver

Enda Hamill’s Gweebarras Dreamtime Star

Gabriel Fox’s Liosderg Silver Pride

Patrick Hoare’s Moylough Supremacy

Donal Shine’s WRS Sun Shine

Annette Rohan’s Balcormo Sir Dun Cliff

Michael Murphy’s Ballylarkin Silver

Tom Burke’s Castlegar Coolough

Daniel Molloy’s Clogheen Captain Jack

Eddie Meehan’s Longwood Mountain Dew

Nicholas Braniff’s Loughkeeland Benedict

Thomas Duffy’s Dernahatten Vision

Paul O’Neill’s Highfield Tornado

Seamus Sloyan’s King Elvis I

Siorcha Redmond & John Roseingrave’s Murrisk The Holy Grail.

John Geoghegan’s Rosetown Rambler

Peter Rice’s Baltydaniel White Heather

Denis O’Brien’s Carraigstud Callum

Seamus Sloyan’s Clogheen Life Of Reilly

David Doyle’s Cloncastle Ambassador

Grace Murphy and William McMahon’s Edenagor Star

Martin Kenirons’ Espresso Vision

Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall Supersonic

Emma Hynes’ Hollyrock Grey Hero

Tommy McMahon’s Ludden Skywalker

Cathal Shine’s WRS Sunrise

Elizabeth Cogan’s Baltydaniel Golden Boy

Elizabeth Cogan’s Baltydaniel Romeo

Sean Barker’s Bawnbally Diamond

Susan Malee’s Carrabeg Glengarriff

Tom Burke’s Castlegar Rock

Michael and Chris Mannion’s WGS Irish Rajah

IRISH SPORT HORSE STUDBOOK

APPROVED

Darren Langrell’s Coolatin Apache (ISP)

Carmel Ryan’s Royal Concorde (ISH)

David Murphy’s Royal Storm (TB)

Trevor Badger’s Sirillio (TB)

APPROVED

Michael Quirke’s Beowulf (ISH)

Edward Doyle’s Clipper VD Begijnakker (BWP)

Conor Connolly & Margaret Hynes’ Cottage Fire (WNTR)

Knightfield Stud’s Gawtcha K (AES)

Helen Troughton’s Jupiter du Thot (SF)

Maurice Smiddy’s Mr Hale Bob (GRP)

James Shannon’s Stormhill Miller (TB)

Keonan Stables’ Valent (KWPN)

APPROVED

Peadar Murphy’s Chinook Eclipse (TB)

Guy Patterson’s Garrison Royal (ISH)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Lissava Stud’s Cabriole (WESTF)

Cormac McKay’s Gatsby (ISH)

Ronan Corrigan’s Karical de Khan (SF)

Etter Sport Horses Ltd’s Radolin (KWPN)

Kedrah House Stud’s Yeats (ISH)

APPROVED

Anne-Marie O’Gorman’s Cobra (HOLST).

Pat Connell’s Lucky Valier (ISH).

Tom Meagher’s Quidam Junior (KWPN).

Ann Lambert’s Robin de la Maison (TB).

Andrea Etter’s Stetter (KWPN).

Alan Robertson, Justin Burke & Stal Roelofs’ Tolan R (KWPN).

William Smyth’s Viking Silver (TB).

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Tom Meagher’s Dawn Lux (ISH).

Noel Delahunty’s Hector van D’Abjihoeve (BWP)

David Molloy’s Portlaoise First Tuch (ISH)

Padraig Howley’s Sligo Candy Boy (ISH)

APPROVED

John Varley’s Elusive Emir (TB)

Patrick Jennings’ Munther (TB)

Peadar Murphy’s Wounderwall (TB)

APPROVED

Martin Walsh’s Hannibal van Overis Z (ZANG)

Jim Bolger c/o Clohamon Stud’s Island Commander (TB)

Liam Lynskey’s Kojak (WESTF)

Andrew Dunne’s Snipe (ISH)

APPROVED

Norbert Boley’s Avalon 224 (HOLST)

Caroline Byrne’s Hallowberry Cruz (ISH) [TIH]

Luc Henry & David Molloy’s Udancer Hero (KWPN).

Trevor Badger’s Let The Lion Roar (TB).

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

FTS Showjumpers’ FTS Elliot (KWPN).

APPROVED

Stal Retto’s Colandro (HOLST)

Eamon McArdle’s Primary (TB)

Kylemore Stud’s Tyson (KWPN)

Paul Hendrix/Stal Hendrix’s Vittorio (HOLST)

APPROVED

Michael Mescal’s Ascalon (TB)

John Varley’s Centennial (TB).

Ann Lambert’s Jack The Robin (TB)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Andrea Etter & Luc Henry’s Celtic Hero B Z (ZANG)

APPROVED

Eamon McArdle’s Corporal VDL (HOLST)

Tommy McMahon’s Glen Moss (TB)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Matt Garrigan’s Chacco’s Charlie PS (MECKL)

Luc Henry’s Ganesh Hero Z (ZANG)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Sandra Duffy’s Kaiden Leva WD (KWPN)

Ennisnag Stud’s Lithium VS (KWPN)

APPROVED

c/o Drumhowan Stud’s Alicante (HOLST)

Ennisnag Stud’s Hos D’O (BWP)

Belmont House Stud’s Qui Vive Des Songes Z (ZANG)

c/o Drumhowan Stud’s VDL Bubalu (KWPN)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Castlefield Breeding Farm’s Calvador Z (ZANG)

Castlefield Breeding Farm’s Castlefield Cornet (HOLST)

Castlefield Breeding Farm’s Castlefield Kingston (OS)

Ennisnag Stud’s ESI Indigo (ISH)

Shane Nolan’s Lord Latino (KWPN)

Killavallig Stud Farm’s Quality-Time Van Het Heieinde (BWP)

Johnathan McDonnell’s SHS Quattro Cruise (ISH)

APPROVED

Deirdre Reilly’s Finnegan D (KWPN).

VDL Stud and Eamonn McArdle’s Zapatero VDL (KWPN).

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Ronan Rothwell’s Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH).

Michael Pender’s Madgeslane Luidam (ISH).

APPROVED

William Hickey’s Casago II (HOLST)

John Geoghegan’s Mambo Nights (TB)

Gladys McArdle’s Sir Lando (TB)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Luke Drea and Claire Dubowski’s Jengisk Delle Coll (SF)

Annemarie Pender’s Sandro Van De Berghoeve (BWP)

APPROVED

Alex Verlooy & Eamon McArdle’s Caracas (AWHA)

Of Heritage Stud Ltd’s Darius Peguignon (SF)

Brian Murphy’s Fountain of Youth (TB)

James O’Donovan’s Globe Theatre (TB)

Kieran Kennedy’s Lansdowne (KWPN)

Of Heritage Stud Ltd’s Milton Z (ZANG)

Donal Brazil’s Urban Poet (TB)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

Tom and Sinead Brennan’s MHS Always (ISH)

Jordan Coyle’s Peroni (KWPN)

Padraig Howley’s Sligo Cavalier Candy (ISH)

IRISH SPORT PONY STUDBOOK

APPROVED

Denis Harrington’s Ti Chip (ISH)

APPROVED

Liam Lynskey’s Hans (KWPN)

APPROVED

Leo Monaghan’s Machnus D’Hyrencourt (ZANG)

APPROVED

Teresa McKenna’s Jacodi’s Anja’s Admiral (NFP)

APPROVED

Valerie Gateau’s Blaengwen Kato Star (WPC)

APPROVED

Owen Horan’s HSF Lucky Boy (ISP)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

(Approved in ISH Studbook)

Sharon Walsh’s Pineview Junior Boss (ISP)

PRELIMINARY APPROVED

(Approved in ISH Studbook)

Catherine Boylan’s Tyrellspass Prince Charming (ISP)