HARTHILL Stud announced the death this week of Ramiro B, one of the leading event horse sires, due to irreversible liver damage. The Belgian-bred stallion had originally stood here with the late Michael Earls and later at Hartwell Stud and Drumhowan Stud before his sale cross-channel.

Ranked sixth in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses eventing sire rankings this year, the Belgian-bred produced this year’s Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class and Badminton runner-up Cooley SRS, both ridden by Oliver Townend.

Another of his best-known progeny was Ballynoecastle RM, the United States Eventing Association’s highest points earner.

EARLY DAYS

Ramiro B was bought by Barnadown’s Maurice Cousins as a three-year-old from his good friend Joris De Wachter, Belgium. The following year, he won the RDS four-year-old showjumping championship with Cousins. He was then sold to Co Wicklow-based Earls and was campaigned to international level under Edward Doyle.

Five years after his sire won the RDS championships, Remy Marlton also won the same class for Cousins, this time ridden by Steven Smith.