Leonidas II retired

PADRAIG McCarthy’s mount Leonidas II has been retired following completing at the FEI Eventing European Championships last weekend. The 17-year-old gelding had an incredible career at the very top level of the sport under Sir Mark Todd before moving to McCarthy in 2019. With Todd, he finished seventh individually at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The gelding won a the CCI4*-L at Barroca d’Alva with McCarthy in 2020 and the pair were one of only seven clear rounds inside the time at last weekend’s Europeans.

Foxhound case note

LAST week’s issue carried a court case report concerning the conviction of Waterford defendant Lionel Beresford of Dungarvan over three neglected foxhounds in his care.

The IMFHA has been in touch this week to reassure people that there is absolutely no connection with the hunt packs of the West Waterfords; the Waterfords, or the Dungarvan Foxhounds and this case.

Teagasc equine series

TEAGASC’s ‘Let’s Talk Equine’ series returns on Tuesday, October 5th at 8.30pm. Joining Wendy Conlon will be Romy Morrin-O’Donnell of Weatherbys Scientific to discuss DNA testing, coat colour genetics, hereditary disease factors. Romy works as International Sales Director for Weatherbys Scientific laboratory and brings over 30 years’ experience of genotyping to the equine, bovine, ovine and canine industries.

It is necessary to register in advance at ww.teagasc.ie./letstalkequine where previous episodes can be accessed.

Vartano victory

IT was kindly brought to our attention this week that Rachel Groyer’s horse Vartano won the Section A class of the Racehorse to Riding Horse section of the recent Lambertstown Stud Derby Show. Smokey Bay won the Section B. Continued success to all and we are happy to set the record straight.

Maudlin appointed as Steward General

CHARLES Maudlin has been appointed as Steward General for jumping for Ireland. The role is responsible for stewarding at international events within their National Federation and also acts as a contact person between the Irish National Federation and the FEI Regional Steward General. The Roscommon native has been chief steward at numerous CSIs including the 2018 Asian Games and foreign steward at many leading CSIO5* events.

Fit For Fun foal

A NEW world record for a foal at public auction was set last weekend at the Zangersheide auction, when a son of the Olympic show jumping mare Fit For Fun was sold for €160,000 to German breeder Paul Schockemöhle. By Eldorado vd Zeshoek, the colt was born via embryo transfer to the now retired 17-year-old mare who won over €2 million in prize money during her wonderful career with Portugal’s Luciana Diniz.

FTS Killossery Konfusion

BERTRAM Allen has sold the 11-year-old ISH gelding FTS Killossery Konfusion to Belgian rider Jos Verlooy. Allen took over the reins from Alex Duffy earlier this season and won a five-star class in Aachen recently. By Livello, the grey is out of the great Killoserry Kruisette (Crusing) and was bred by Franck and Laura Glynn.

Louth Hunt Trials

THE Louth Hunt is hosting their Hunter Trials tomorrow (Sunday, October 3rd) at Tattersalls with all the usual classes. See their Facebook page for full details.

Goresbridge Sale

GORESBRIDGE is hosting a new Select Sale of three-year-old show jumpers and eventers on Monday, October 4th (previewed in last week’s issue) at their Co Kilkenny sales complex. Bidding at the livestreamed sale will take place both at the ringside and via Goresbridge’s online bidding platform. The performance begins at 10am with the auction starting at 2.30pm. X-rays available to view prior to sale.

MEC auction

A REMINDER that Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co Westmeath is hosting a livestreamed auction today (Saturday).