RECOGNISED amongst the leaders in her field, Co Wexford-based Louise Codd is one of the most respected of Ireland’s young horse producers.

Indeed, she has picked up no less than four RDS young horse titles in the past decade, while horses that have passed through her hands have proceeded to the very top of the sport.

She has also piloted several event horses to international level, but nowadays, it is the production rather than the competition that drives her.

Supported by her parents, Annette and John, and of course young daughter Aria, Codd works from the family home in Cleariestown in Co Wexford, producing and sourcing horses with the event market in mind.

Hailing from a well-known racing dynasty, Codd is one of three children whose early life revolved largely around thoroughbreds and racing. All three siblings – Louise, Jeanette and Austin – were involved in the sport, while their father John held a license to ride and to train. A very able jockey, he rode the home-trained mare Ogan Spa to win the Ladies Cup at Punchestown, as well as finishing runner-up in the La Touche.

Unsurprisingly, both Louise and her sister Jeanette rode under rules with Louise participating in bumpers, point-to-points and hurdle races.

“We grew up going to the point-to-points every Sunday, while our own riding was very much confined to pony club and hunting,” she recalled. “I did later have a good pony to event and loved it, but at that time, the thoroughbreds were always to the forefront.”

Having first ridden in a point-to-point at the age of 17, the pinnacle of Louise’s racing career came in 2001, when she piloted Darthai Uisce to win on the flat at the Killarney Festival. It was however also to be her last ride under rules, as she explained, “I was working for John Keane at the time with the sport horses, so, while winning was brilliant, I felt that it was a job done, and time to move on to something new.”

Her Leaving Certificate completed, Louise was keen to follow an equestrian career, and as a result, she decided to attend Kildalton College in Piltown. There, under the tuition of Rosemary Gaffney, she learnt her trade and at the same time formed valuable friendships.

Among them was Olympian Capt. Geoff Curran, successful point-to-point trainer and pinhooker Virginia Considine, renowned horseman Benny Crowley and Annemarie Pender – mother of show jumping phenomenon Mikey.

“It was a brilliant year, and a very good class. We all became very close and to this day, we continue to help each other out. Benny has been and still is, a huge factor in my career, having introduced me to Ballycreen Milord, a horse that took me to the top of my eventing ladder and who is probably my all-time favourite.”

While at Kildalton, Louise and Virginia Considine took a placement at the Suma Stud in Co Meath, learning under the vastly knowledgeable Susie Lanigan O’Keefe and Marily Power. During her spell there, she got the chance to ride the stallions, and indeed partnered the great Crosstown Dancer in performance classes. “I remember one day where Crosstown Dancer won, Huntingfield Rebel was second and I think Grange Bouncer was fourth.”

Although accumulating valuable knowledge during her stay, Codd later admitted that she found the stud work a little boring, and realised that eventing was what she really wanted to do.

At the same time, she heard there was an opening for a second rider with John Keane, a notable producer of event horses, based close to Louise’s home in Co Wexford.

“We had to go through the right channels, as I was still on placement from the college, but thankfully it all worked out,” she said. “I was second rider to Clare Lambert and I learned a lot. Sarah Treacy (Gordon) gave us lessons which was probably the first time I had ever received proper, structured tuition.”

Louise remained with Keane well after her placement was completed, eventually moving to the nearby yard of Barry and Alice Kehoe. This proved to be a significant move for both parties, as not only did Louise run the yard for nine years, but she produced numerous Westwinds-prefixed horses for the Kehoe family.

“At the beginning, everything was bought in. We struck up a relationship with the Maguire family from Gorey (breeders of the William Fox-Pitt Rolex winner Bay By Hero) and sourced a lot of horses from Bryan, Suzanne and Dermot.”

In later days, the Kehoes went down the breeding route, and struck lucky with the first of their production line. This was a gelding by Ramiro B who went under the name of Westwinds Hercules.

Always an eye-catcher, Louise produced Hercules successfully through the four-year-old ranks, before the ride passed to Sarah Ennis. A big winner under Ennis, he was eventually sold to British owners Andrew Tinkler and Alison Schmutz and, ridden by Joseph Murphy, competed in the Nations Cup at Boekelo in 2015.

Among the other Westwind graduates was Westwinds El Divo, who gave Louise her first taste of international competition. The pair won the five-year-olds in RDS before representing Ireland at Le Lion d’Angers and also heading the two-star international in Necarne.

A son of Rich Rebel, he was later sold to the Czech Republic equestrian team, for whom he completed Badminton with Jaroslav Hatla.

Louise Codd (IRL) and Ballycreen Milord in the dressage phase of the seven-year-old horses at Mondial du Lion, FEI World Championship for Young Horses, Le Lion d'Angers, France, in 2012

Striking out

A change was in the air. After nine years at Westwinds, Codd decided to return home to Cleariestown. As now as an established producer, she had owners and horses of her own. One of the first charges was a tricky individual called Ballycreen Milord (Kings Master), who she fondly remembers as one of the stand-out horses of her career.

“I remember Benny phoning me to say that he had this horse, who wasn’t easy but he thought I would get on with him,” she recalled. At the time he was owned by English event enthusiast Helen White, who agreed that Louise was the right person to further him in his career.

“Luckily, at this stage, I had the time to play with him,” she said. “He took most of my day – and needed it as he was so quirky. We eventually managed to create a great partnership and I wouldn’t have gone as far in the sport if it hadn’t been for him. He always tried his heart out and he was my ‘horse of a lifetime’. He knew what I was thinking and vice versa and when I got it wrong, he picked up the pieces. When he got it wrong, which wasn’t often, I liked to think I did the same for him.”

The pair enjoyed numerous successes together, winning the coveted five-year championship at the RDS, eight individual events which culminated in a double clear round at the Tattersalls CIC3* (now CCI4*S).

Among the people cited as having been influential in Louise’s career is aforementioned Benny Crowley.

“Benny does a lot of breaking for many different people, and in fairness to him, he puts my name forward for any of the horses he thinks could be worth going on with as an event horse. He’s sent so many my way over the years and he never gets it too wrong.”

Wonderful supporters

Mary Kehoe, the legendary producer and huntsman of both the Bree and the Wexford hounds, is another mentor.

An invaluable help to Louise through good and hard times, and always on hand for advice, she has been a massive and appreciated support. Another is the Lisburn-based agent and top scout Brian Lusk, whom Louise first met during her time at Westwinds.

A solid friendship formed over the years, and Louise was delighted when last season, their jointly-owned Future News won the four-year-old championship in the RDS. The son of Future Trend had been bought specifically with the championship in mind, and now, having been sold to England runs under the name of Brookfield Future News.

Louise’s yard has always been a happy hunting ground for Lusk and his clients, and another graduate is the smart Carnival March, who was sourced from Virginia Considine as a three-year-old. “He was one of just two of his age left, and although he was very raw I just loved him,” said Louise. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for him at the time, so it was decided that Virginia would keep a half share.”

Louise was not the only one to take a liking to the Cavalier Carnival-sired gelding, as within weeks of being broken, he was snapped up by Piggy March (neé French). Now well into the intermediate ranks, Carnival March was placed no lower than sixth from his eight runs last season.

It was through his breeder Martin Ryan, that Louise was then able to track down a younger full-brother who she sourced from Pat Keating in Co Waterford. Only a two-year-old but displaying the same athletic traits as his sibling, Louise and her partner William Codd bought him as a store.

This proved to be a most astute move for the couple, as once broken, the gelding was never beaten in young horse competition. His list of victories began at Wexford Equestrian, and from there, he and Louise won both of their YES qualifiers at Forth Mountain and Scarteen. Competing as Cavalier Cruise, he also held an entry for the Masterclass at Camphire, but on discovering she was pregnant, Louise made the decision to pass the ride to Patrick Whelan.

The new partnership promptly gelled to land both Camphire title and the RDS. Once again through Brian Lusk, this high-class horse was then sold to the Brookfield team of John and Chloe Perry, together with Alison Swinburn, and in the hands of Harry Meade, headed the CCI2* line-up at Whately Manor last year.

Dark days

2017 had been by any standards a memorable year for Louise and her team, and was crowned by the birth of baby Aria at Christmas.

Within months however, and in her own words, “life took on a complete 180° turn” when her partner William died suddenly. Picking herself up was no easy feat. “At that stage, I thought I really didn’t want to do this anymore. I had Aria who was only a few weeks old, and it was a very tough time.”

She did however listen to some sound advice from William’s brother Jamie. “Jamie said put your head down and drive on – and I know that’s what William would have wanted,” she said.

“Brian Lusk also supported me. He encouraged me to buy some more horses and with good owners like the Brookfield partnership, I knew it was the right thing to do. It’s been a very busy 18 months and although at the end of last year, I felt I was running on empty, I also knew that to be busy was probably the only way I was able to get through what had happened.”

Loving the youngsters

While the current lockdown has brought new challenges, it has enabled Louise to spend much of her day working with the young horses, an occupation she loves. “While Ballycreen Milord and Westwinds El Divo took me through the grades, my passion has always been the youngsters,” she said.

“I just love producing them, and in a way that they are happy, straightforward and correct.

"Also, in a way that anyone, male or female, young or old, can get on them and find that the buttons are universal not personalised. I’m a selling yard and have to accommodate everyone.”

As regards type, Louise is quite traditional and likes a fair bit of blood in the pedigree. “I like the Irish, but certainly the way that eventing has gone now it’s good to get that bit of foreign into them. Maybe the long format needs more thoroughbred blood but the short format eventing allows that foreign cross to be very competitive and commercial. I do like them however to have Irish blood in them somewhere. They need to be athletic off the floor with a good canter. As regards the trot, that can be improved.”

Like many producers recently profiled, Louise has a fondness for progeny of Emperor Augustus as a sire, as well as Future Trend. She also has a Mermus R and two youngsters by Shannondale Sarco, but largely likes to choose the individual. Although her parents are now separated, both are important cogs in the day-to-day running of the Cleariestown yard. “Dad helps me a lot which is great, while mum is invaluable in helping me to look after Aria which allows me to get on outside.

“Dad has moved away from the thoroughbreds now, and aside from buying the odd horse to turn over and sell on, he is buying a better type of horse for us to go together and for me to produce further. I’m lucky to have him working with me and to share the facilities.”

Louise is also well known as a trainer and supporter of young riders. Former young rider team member Patrick Whelan spent some time at her yard, as did Noel Dunne who was with her last year. “I love working with young people, and love seeing them go on,” she states.

“I was lucky to have Patrick after William died, as we were able to keep the whole yard running. Brookfield left us some horses to compete and riding for them, Patrick won at the RDS as well as his first international competition at Millstreet. They all need to go on to further their own careers, but it’s lovely to have them here for a spell. Patrick is a great jockey and Noel is as well, it’s rewarding to be part of the start of their future in horses.”

Injection of fun

This year she has been joined by Monica Whelan, who last evented 10 years ago. “She’s put a vibrant dynamic to the yard,” said Louise. “We’ve teamed up and she’s definitely bought an injection of fun into the yard. While she is only just getting back going again, we are hoping to both compete when the season gets going and I think we’ll make a good team moving forward. It’s a pity we have been stopped in our tracks a bit, but it’s the same for everyone and we’ll get through the other side.”

Aside from the six or so sport horses in work, Louise also has three two-year-old thoroughbred colts, which she does every year for Miley Walsh and Martin Treacy. “They’ve been very loyal, and always send me yearlings to break and pre-train,” she explains. “They’re a lovely dynamic to have to the yard and to maintain the interest in the thoroughbreds. I love doing them.”

At two and a half years old, Aria is already very keen on her pony and looks set to follow in her parents’ footsteps. “Whether it will be following uncle Jamie in the racing or me with the sport horses I don’t know,” ponders Louise. “However, she loves watching the racing on the television.

“She rides her rocking horse, picks up her whip and away she goes. She comes out every evening to help and on the tough days – when you think what could have been – she comes around the corner with a smile that makes you feel like William’s back in the room again.”

Despite enduring the toughest of times, Louise is resilient and looking to the future, is in a happy place. She is surrounded by family and friends, and with a highly reputable business on the up, she states, “I’m definitely enjoying the work and will keep going as long as I am able.”