BALLYRAFTER Equestrian Centre in Lismore, Co Waterford, has long been a favourite for riders bringing on youngsters, but the results from Hickstead last weekend reinforced its reputation as a veritable kindergarten for Derby horses.

The 2016 Derby winner Glenavadra Brilliant, bred by Frank Fahy in Co Galway, was produced as a young horse by the Kiely family from Dungarvan, and Tom Kiely regularly schooled the chesnut at Ballyrafter under Anne Waistell’s watchful eye.

The stallion, by Brilliant Lad and out of a Powerswood Purple dam, joins a list of Hickstead Derby winners who jumped at Ballyrafter as youngsters.

Among them are 1994 and 1995 winner Kilbaha, ridden by Comdt John Ledingham, and the 1997 winner Bluebird, ridden by John Popely.

Also on the list is the two-time winner Loughnatousa WB, ridden to victory by local Waterford man Paul Beecher in 2012 and Tipperary rider Trevor Breen in 2015.