FIFTEEN years after Horse Sport Ireland introduced its new stallion inspection system, the latest batch of approved stallions were added after inspections took place over Thursday and Friday at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Aside from three absentees from the entries list published in last week’s edition - Golden Heights, Rolex VDL and Via Lani’s Butterfly Effect - the remaining stallions were present and assessed over the two days.

Thursday was effectively ‘Irish Draught day’ with a good turnout of Draught enthusiasts present, including several from the UK and Canada to watch the 17 Irish Draught entries (five less than 2023).

Although none from the first group of four were approved as Class 1, eventually six new stallions - Cathal Shine’s Baltydaniel Golden Boy, Elizabeth Cogan’s Baltydaniel Romeo, Sean Barker’s Bawnbally Diamond, Susan Malee’s Carrabeg Glengarriff, Tom Burke’s Castlegar Rock and Michael and Chris Mannion’s WGS Irish Rajah - joined the Class 1 ranks.

In addition, Windgap Stud’s WGS Irish Rajah was also approved in the Irish Sport Horse studbook owing to his show jumping performance.

Traditional breeding received a boost on Friday, with Tom Jones’ Carrick Diamond Royale (ISH)[TIH] passed as Stage 1 level. Brian Murphy’s Fountain Of Youth and Donal Brazil’s Urban Poet were approved, via the Timeform option and Jimmy O’Donovan’s Globe Theatre was the third thoroughbred approval.

“These results have garnered much attention from Traditional Irish Horse breeders and those seeking to include more blood in their breeding programme,” commented Sonja Egan, Horse Sport Ireland’s Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development.

Sonja Egan, Conor Sheridan,Eamon and Gladys McArdle with Tomas Quigly and Caracas at the HSI stallion inspections \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Three Irish Sport Horse stallions also passed Stage 1 - two home-breds in Michael and Tom Brennan’s MHS Magical and Hans Kuehnle’s Tullibards Lux Likea Benny, plus Mikey Pender’s Velvet van de Berghoeve.

All four of last year’s successful Stage 1 stallions returned for Stage 2 assessment and from this group, Sinead Brennan’s MHS Always, Jordan Coyle’s Peroni and Padraig Howley’s Sligo Cavalier Candy passed as Preliminary Ap-proved (Stage 2), while Lady Georgina Forbes’ Feridann De Kergane retained his Stage 1 classification.

Four performance stallions were fully approved. Axel Verlooy and Eamon McArdle’s Caracas and Kieran Kennedy’s Lansdowne were both awarded five-star status on account of their international show jumping careers with Jos Verlooy and Conor Swail.

Of Heritage Horses’ pair of candidates: Milton Z and Darius Peguignon were also approved and awarded four-star and two-star classification respectively.

Darius Peguignon at the HSI stallion inspections \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Several of Friday’s successful candidates stayed on for the inaugural Stallion Showcase, which attracted a nice crowd. The ‘big screen’, used in the main inspection ring to post the names of stallions, would have been beneficial here and the acoustics came in for less complimentary feedback. However, a first-time event is always a learning curve and no one will take and turn the feedback around for future events more than HSI’s Conor Sheridan, who received widespread praise for his stamp on the Showcase.

The proverbial dust has settled, the international visitors have mainly returned home and, for the owners who brought stallions to Cavan, the real business now begins.

Provisional Results

Class 1 Irish Draughts

Baltydaniel Golden Boy. 2011

Mizen Gold (IDC2) - Arthur’s Queen (RID) by Cork Arthur (IDC1)

Applicant: Cathal Shine Breeder: Elizabeth Cogan

Baltydaniel Romeo. 2011

Crannagh Hero (IDC1) - Breezy Silver (RID) by Fast Silver (IDC1)

Classification applicant/breeder: Elizabeth Cogan

Bawnbally Diamond. 2019

Carrabawn Cross (IDC1) - Ballynadrimna Lass (IDC2) by Drumri (IDC1)

Applicant: Sean Barker Breeder: Julianne Corrigan

Carrabeg Glengarriff. 2017

Clonakilty Hero (IDC1) - Ben’s Daughter (RID) by Ben Calverstown (IDC1) Classification applicant/breeder: Susan Malee

Castlegar Rock. 2021

Carrickrock Close Shave (IDC1) - Mossfort Star (RID) by Welcome Flagmount (IDC1)

Applicant: Tom Burke Breeder: Martin Donnellan

WGS Irish Rajah. 2018

Western Blues (IDC1) - Lackagh View (RID) by Carrabawn View (IDC1)

Applicant: Michael & Chris Mannion Breeder: Kieran Fleming

Irish Draught Approved In ISH Studbook

WGS Irish Rajah.

ISH Studbook Approved

5*

Caracas (AHWA) 2005

Casall La Silla (HOLST) - Colthaga (HOLST) by Colman (HOLST)

Applicant: Axel Verlooy & Eamon McArdle Breeder: Desmond Russel

Lansdowne (KWPN). 2003

Guidam (KWPN) - Ivory (KWPN) by Wolfgang (KWPN)

Applicant: Kieran Kennedy Breeder: J.W. Greve

Kieran Kennedy with Lansdown at the HSI stallion inspections \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

4*

Milton Z (ZANG). 2011

Mylord Carthago (SF) - Shakira Z (ZANG) by Sandro Boy (OLD).

Applicant: Of Heritage Horses Breeder: F. Hoogenboom

Milton Z at the HSI stallion inspections \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

2*

Darius Peguignon (SF) 2013

Canturo (HOLST) - Version d’Iscla (SF) by Diamant De Semilly (SF).

Applicant: Of Heritage Horses

Breeder: S.A.R.L. Agricole De Redon De Colombier

Fountain Of Youth (IRE) TB 2011.

Oasis Dream (GB) - Attraction (GB) by Efisio (GB)

Applicant: Brian Murphy Breeder: Floors Farming

Globe Theatre (USA) TB 2016.

War Front (USA) - Was (IRE) (TB) by Galileo (IRE)

Applicant: James O’Donovan

Breeder: Mssrs. Orpendake, Chelston, & Wynatt

Urban Poet (USA), TB. 2006

Dynaformer (USA) - Preach (USA) by Mr Prospector (USA)

Applicant: Donal Brazil Breeder: Claiborne Farm

Preliminary Approved (Stage 2)

MHS Always (ISH). 2020

Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) - MHS Glory Days (ISH) by Quidam Junior I (KWPN)

Applicant: Tom & Sinead Brennan Breeder: Tom Brennan

Peroni (KWPN)

Zirocco Blue VDL (SF) - Aginea-Go (KWPN), by Lupicor KWPN).

Applicant: Jordan Coyle Breeder: Fam. Versteeg

Peroni and Camryn Clarke at the HSI stallion inspections \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Sligo Cavalier Candy (ISH). 2020

Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) - HHS Miss Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST)

Applicant: Padraig Howley Breeder: Mary & Eileen Murphy

Stage 1

Carrick Diamond Royale (ISH) [TIH] 2020.

Carrick Diamond Lad (ISH)[TIH] - Hopalong Cassidy Girl (ISH), by Hopalong Cassidy (TB)

Applicant: Tom Jones Breeder: Laurence Jones

MHS Magical (ISH). 2021

Cornet Obolensky (BWP) - Gowran Lady (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST)

Applicant/breeder: Michael & Tom Brennan

Tullibards Lux Likea Benny (ISH). 2021

Tullibards Bennys Legacy (OLD) - Lux Optimistic (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) Applicant/breeder: Hans Kuehnle

Velvet van de Berghoeve (BWP). 2021

Comme Il Faut (WESTF) - Gatoucha vant Roosakker (BWP) by Diamant de Semilly (SF)

Applicant: Michael Pender

Breeder: Vadebo NV & Paul Van Den Bosch

What they said

“It [stallion selections] was more eye-opening than I thought at the start. I hadn’t been here before, to be honest, and I should have been here more often. I thought they didn’t ask too much of the horses when they were being shown. They had a favourable little track, didn’t overface anyone and they were genuine in their assessment of what happened. And they gave a nice horse a chance to do what he wanted to do.

Everybody wants to see the horses in there, out in front of everybody, rather than just talking about them. So to go in there and jump a good round, everyone’s interested in them at that stage.

You’ll get to see plenty of nice horses [at stallion shows], see what they can do and you can make up your own mind. Are they good enough in front?Are they good behind? And temperament, you get to judge yourself. And that’s what breeding is all about, your own opinions.”

Tom Brennan.

“The 2024 Horse Sport Ireland Studbook stallion selections were a great success. As always, we were delighted to be joined by the hugely dedicated and passionate group of Irish Draught breeders, who travelled nationally and internation-ally to see the 2024 presenting Irish Draught stallions.

We wish all breeders a very successful 2024 breeding season, I’m sure many of the classified stallions presented over the two days will feature in this year’s breeding decisions nationwide!”

Dr Sonja Egan.

“Given the number of women now involved in breeding and producing horses, it would be great to see women on the Irish Sport Horse inspectors panel. Hopefully, HSI will look at some initiatives to encourage women onto the panel.”

Samantha Fitzsimons.

“I was in Cavan with Sligo Candy Boy when he was passed at three and then he went on for Stage 2 as a four-year-old. He’s been very successful since as a sire. This year, we had Sligo Cavalier Candy back under saddle with Vincent and he passed Stage 2 too. I thought the Stallion Showcase was brilliant and very well organised. They gave the horses every chance to look around inside and to perform. I had a lot of enquiries after it and all the people I spoke to after the Showcase enjoyed it. Overall, it was very well done and I think Cavan is very much going in the right direction.”

Padraig Howley.

“I thought the two days ran very well. Some nice horses got approved. Friday night was very enjoyable and busy, I love showing stallions. I’ve spoken to HSI about improvements to be made for next year, like numbers on the stallions and the sound system on the night. It was great to see it back on Clipmyhorse and the commentary on this was very good.”

Liam Lynskey.

“It was a long day and a cold day for those of us stallion owners presenting stallions and waiting for the following Stallion Showcase. I’m not so sure running both on the same day/evening is beneficial, but credit where it’s due to Conor Sheridan and Horse Sport Ireland.

The concept of the Stallion Showcase is to present the calibre of High Performance stallions now available ‘in the flesh’ in Ireland is to be commended and encouraged.

Stallions like Kieran Kennedy’s Lansdowne and our new addition Caracas, both of whom earlier in the day achieved five-star approved status, and younger talents like Sandro van de Berghoeve and Sligo Cavalier Candy - it’s a fantastic opportunity to see such horses up close, in person.

I accept it’s more comfy to watch from home on Clipmyhorse, but you can’t beat throwing your eye on the stallion in front of you!

Of course, there are several tweaks that can be made to improve the Showcase. I believe these have been highlighted since.

Finally, top credit to all the stallion owners who participated. As a stallion owner/manager, it takes huge effort, work and hope that they all were home safe and well. It’s springtime and we must always remember that they are now active breeding stallions.”

Gladys McArdle.

“After Darsi passed, we swore we would never again buy a stallion, because we could never get a horse like him.

Darsi was a horse we could only dream of. Now we have Globe Theatre to look to the future and we are very excited to see his progeny in the showring.

We found him in England and are very thankful to all those involved in helping us bring him home to Gortnamona. We’d also like to thank Henry Foley for all the work he put into Globe Theatre improving his jump.

However, we do believe a flat-bred horse should not have to jump in the stallion inspections.”

Jimmy and Siobhan O’Donovan.

“I was surprised by the diversity of [Irish Draught] stallions. I can imagine the inspection team had their work cut out for them. There seems to be a bit of a trend towards the less common colours in the breed these days in Canada and it seems there’s a bit of that in Ireland too.

It will be interesting to see the direction the Irish Draughts take as far as conformation, movement and performance over the next decade.”

Christine Sweet, Alberta.

  • This year’s inspection panel members? Gillian Black, John Corbett, Liam Cotter, Andrew Gardiner, Michael Kirwan, Charlotte Moore, Ger O’Sullivan and Philip Scott (Irish Draught) and George Chapman, Maurice Coleman, Jack Doyle, Andrew Gardiner, John Ledingham, Chris Ryan and Philip Scott (Sport Horses). Damien Griffin was the test rider for the sport horse section.
  • A retro presentation took place on Friday for stallions subsequently fully approved after their initial Cavan appearance. Captain Caruso, CC Captain Cruise, Chalypso, Democrat, DS Ballagh Bouncer (the Class 1 Irish Draught was approved in the Irish Sport Horse studbook for his dressage and show jumping performance), Numero Cruise, Rincoola Babog, Sligo Candy Boy and Z7 Ascot received their approved sashes.
  • The inaugural Stallion Showcase line-up included Avalon Outkast and Water-loo Dun (Connemaras), Hans and Rincoola Babog (Irish Sport Pony), Captain Caruso, Caracas, Carrabeg The Full Irish, CC Captain Cruise, Chalypso, Darius Peguignon, Democrat, DS Are You With Me, Lagans OBOS Quality, Lansdowne, Milton Z, MHS Always, Numero Cruise, Sandro van de Berghoeve, Sligo Candy Boy, Sligo Cavalier Candy, Tullibards Lux Likea Benny and Z7 Ascot (Sport Horse), Carrabeg Glengarriff, DS Ballagh Bouncer, Edenagor Star and Ludden Skywalker (Irish Draught) and Centennial, plus newly-approved Globe Theatre (Thoroughbred).
  • Castlegar Rock was the sixth Class 1 Irish Draught bred and/or owned by Tom Burke, from outside Galway city. His latest approved stallion was bred by the late Martin Donnellan.
  • Three years to the day since the O’Donovan family lost their Croker Cup champion Darsi, his ‘successor’ Globe Theatre was approved at Cavan.
  • MHS Magical is a half-brother to MHS Going Global, while the year-older MHS Always is out of a full-sister to Greg Broderick’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics horse. “Both of them are very promising horses that we think have a future. Look, all you can do is nail your colours to the mast at this stage. We like what we see at home. At three and four, you’re never sure what will happen when you go out, but it gets more and more dependable as life goes on. But we’re delighted to have passed this stage anyway and the judges had the same opinion as we have,” remarked Tom Brennan. “MHS Magical was the HSI 2021 show jumping foal champion - demonstrating the value of existing initiatives in identifying future potential. We’re all delighted that on this occasion face masks are but a memory too!” added Sonja Egan about that competition, held during the coronavirus.
  • Already a Preliminary Approved stallion, Madgeslane Luidam (Luidam x O.B.O.S Quality) was busy on the Sunshine Tour last week with Mikey Pender, where the combination won the six-year-old final. Back home, another of the Pender’s van de Berghoeve team was successful at Cavan, when Velvet van de Berghoeve passed Stage 1.
  • They say it takes a village and Padraig and Vincent Howley had additional help last Friday night, including Catriona Shanley and Liam Lynskey, with the the father and son combination of Sligo Candy Boy and Sligo Cavalier Candy on parade in the Stallion Showcase. “Liam did the job for me, leading the stallions. He’s something else. If he was a horse, he’d be in the Grand National!” said Padraig.
  • Derryronane Stud owner Lynskey certainly burnt up shoe leather, as in addition to leading the Howley ‘Sligo’ pair, he also presented the Irish Draught Gaelic Hero and Irish Sport Horse pair Carrick Diamond Lad and Tubbertelly Dillon for their owners at the inspections. Liam also led his own Hans, DS Are You With Me and DS Ballagh Bouncer, plus Carrick Diamond Royale again in Friday night’s Showcase.
  • See Breeders’ 10 on page 91 for the first of the Cavan-related breeders features, starting with Tom Jones.

    • Next week: The inspection system

    Darius Peguignon with Martina Romagnoli and Sacha Larrive Petit at the Cavan stallion showcase \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net