TWO names of Ireland’s iconic breeding families really stood out in the young horse classes at Millstreet: the Hughes and the late Ita Brennan. Between the two families, their breeding lines dominated the Millstreet line-ups.

Kildare’s Mikey Pender (18) demonstrated his huge talent while partnering HHS Vancouver to victory in the Millstreet Ruby Five-Year-Old Grand Prix Final, clear in 35.12. Owned and bred by Marion Hughes, this Indoctro-sired gelding has been consistently placed in the Studbook Series since the start of the year. Shane Goggins and DP Revere, were fractions behind in 36.82 for second. Accounting for third place was Susan Fitzpatrick and the Bravo Hughes Ltd and Didy Morgan-owned CSF Foxy Lady, when clear in 37.12.

Kevin Gallagher filled fourth place when he piloted Brendan McSorley’s home-bred stallion Presidential Ball to a clear in 38.24. Liam O’Meara didn’t put a foot wrong with Grangeview Cruise and his time of 38.68, saw him take fifth, ahead of Dean Rogan and De l’Oiseliere, clear in 39.76. The Hughes family top of this class as Dominic Curley, delivered a clear with MHS Cardenta in 40.57 for seventh. Owned by Marion Hughes, the mare was bred by Olive Clarke.

Boomerang Grand Prix Final

Mikey Pender was back in the ribbons as he led the victory lap in the six and seven-year-old Boomerang Grand Prix Final. Riding HHS Geneva, he was fastest of seven double clears in 36.72 seconds. Bred by the Hughes family and now jointly owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd and George Benninger, HHS Geneva is a seven-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality 004 out of a Clover Hill mare, Clover Z. Jack Brennan and MHS Jersey Girl, clocked 38.58 for second. Owned and bred by Sinead Byrne from Co Kilkenny, the seven-year-old mare by Cardento out of MHS Prime Time has been produced by Brennan, with a host of wins in the aged classes.

Kate Derwin and MHS Fernhill Showtime crossed the line in 38.61 for third. Bred by the late Ita Brennan and now owned by Carol Gee, the six-year-old gelding is by Cavalier Royale out of the OBOS Quality 004-sired dam, MHS OBOS Cruise. The Bravo Hughes family were well represented as Kevin Gallagher partnered Javas Gucci, their six-year-old gelding to a clear in 39.65 for eventual fourth. Francis Connors and the Sinead Byrne-owned MHS High Hopes, slotted into fifth when clear in 41.51. Another Ita Brennan bred gelding, the seven-year-old is by Quidam Junior 1 out of Gowran lady. Sixth place belonged to Gemma Phelan and Curraghgraigue OBOS Flight, clear in 43.08. Bred and owned by Co Tipperary man Baden Powell, the six-year-old gelding is by OBOS Quality 004 out of Curraghgraigue Errigal.

National Discovery

HOrse final

In the four-year-old National Discovery Horse final on Saturday, 27 combinations were put through their paces. Again it was Bravo Hughes family who came out on top as Eireann LVS Z, under Mikey Pender’s command, took victory when awarded 111 points. Bred by LVS Z, the Zangersheide, gelding is by Emerald out of Beyonce RK. Michaeli Ann Byrne and the Julian Pearson and Ronan Rothwell-owned stallion, took second when finishing on a score of 110 marks.

John Mulligan and Lough Scur Quality Lady (O.B.O.S. Quality 004 x Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan) also impressed when they finished on a score of 107 for third. Just one point behind was Cora Sharkey and AHG Whiterock De Muse Of Cruise (Cardento x Cruising). Under the command of Shane Goggins, Charles Hanley’s stallion Leestone Cruisilier (Cruising x Cavalier Royale) was awarded 103 points for fifth. New Zealand’s Jessie Linton and her charge KBS Miss Capetown (OBOS Quality x Aldatus) was award 101 points, for sixth place.

Young Irelander Final

Winner of the three-year-old young Irelander Final was Jonathan Flynn and Diane Fletcher’s Dodarde E Z. A stallion, by Dallas VDL x Zeu, he was awarded a score of 98 points. William McDonnell’s Pallas Cobra was just a point off the winner’s score on 97 points. The gelding by Cobra, was also runner-up in the potential young event horse in Dublin Horse Show. Etter Sportpferde Ag-owned stallion Mr Taylor B (Aganix Du Seigneur x Sire De Valette) took third place when awarded 91 points. This youngster boasts an impressive record which includes a win in the Mullingar International and fourth in an RDS qualifier.

Small Horse Discovery Final

Winner of the Small Horse Discovery Final on Saturday was Rhys Williams riding Fast and Furious Second Life Z. Owned by Adrian Williams, the four-year-old stallion (Flamenco De Semilly x Papelon Rouge) was awarded 90 points.

Amateur Final

Amateur riders were out in force as 29 combinations contested the final on Sunday. Taking the win were Pat Murphy and You Two Babe, clear in 33.47. Catherine Egan and Atlas R also delivered a clear in 34.04 for second. Little separated the next placing as Denise Hanrahan and Comeragh Cruiser were less than a second behind in 34.55 for third.

Ladies Final

It was a well worthwhile trip from Kildare for Julieann Gaffney as she took the win in the Ladies Final. Riding Emoe Jell O, Gaffney lodged the fastest clear in the eight-way jump off in 35.54.

Martha Healy and Serpent Of Lux also answered all the questions in the slower time of 36.96 for second, ahead of Kirsti Connole and Zazu Van Terhofstede, clear in 37.08.