Oliver Townend was competing in Maryland, Bertram Allen was between shows in Beijing and Riyadh, yet they still found time to sing the praises of Ballaghmor Class and Pacino Amiro, the top Irish Sport Horses in this year’s World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings. And for Carol Hickey and Simon Scott, their dream story continues.

“It’s still going on, isn’t it? This story about a horse born in a barn behind a thatched cottage, bred by a Clareman living in Co Limerick. And come on the Banner! What a great result for the other two Banner breeders too [Noel Russell and Gerard Lynch] in the top-six,” said Carol, whose late father Noel bred Ballaghmor Class.

“It’s a privilege for everybody here to have bred Pacino Amiro, it’s a fairytale. Something that might never happen again but when it does, it just gives everybody the heart to go in the right direction,” commented Simon.

Carol Hickey receiving her late father Noel's award at the Horse Sport Ireland breeders awards in 2018 from Edward Doyle \ Susan Finnerty

Simon is typical of many producers. “The horse trade has taken a wee knock. Foal sales were bad although the nice ones are still selling very well. But for the ordinary foals… and then who’s to say what an ordinary foal is? An ordinary foal could turn out to be the cheapest foal and some of the cheapest horses in the world turned out to be good horses.”

He still has Pacino Amiro’s 21-year-old dam Carnone Dancing Queen and some exciting prospects, including a Pacino Amiro four-year-old half-brother in his Convoy yard. “We didn’t get her in foal this year, so I might take an embryo or two from her next year. She has a colt foal this year and his yearling full-brother, then I have her two, rising three-year-old filly by Gerard Marron’s horse For Kinmar Hero Z.”

“I have a four-year-old stallion here, Carnone Dancing Boy, by Brendan McSorley’s Echonix and he’s a very, very good horse. I’ve just jumped him round a few 90cm classes and everybody at the show was asking is he related to ‘Buddy’ and saying, ‘I hear you have a good horse again.’”

With the Tokyo Olympics already ticked off for both horses, Paris could be the next stop. Anything can happen with horses, then again it all happened for the Irish Sport Horse studbook in the WBFSH rankings.

Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent during the dressage at the FEI Eventing European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland, where they won team gold and individual silver \ FEI/Richard Juilliart

What they said

“It’s a drive to win and prove people wrong, it’s the underdog story. A little bit of when someone tells you sometimes it can’t be done and you just get it done to prove it can. Just like the Irish rugby team, they really wanted to win that World Cup.

Oliver, as well, is all part of the story. It’s just their unwritten communication between the rider and the horse and an understanding. He’s just a natural, isn’t he?

Someone said to me when they heard about Dad breeding Ballaghmor Class, ‘That horse might go to the Olympics’ and I said, ‘but he’s already been to the Olympics and won a team gold medal!’ And he might go next time, though anything now is a bonus. He has just been the most amazing horse.”

–Carol Hickey

“I was very friendly with Aiden McGrory [Pacino Amiro’s owner], I sold him a good few horses and he kept his horses immaculate. I said there’s something going to happen with that foal, I knew he was class, but I’m glad I sold him on. You have to sell them, that’s how we survive. They’re all for sale, but its great to see how Pacino Amiro went on to become one of the best horses in the world.

There’s horses like that and there’s other horses. There’s real good horses and they’ll have the last fence or first fence. It’s like athletes, there’s people that are born geniuses and there’s other people who try all their lives to be and they can’t.

And to be with Bertram Allen, how lucky has the horse been? He is definitely a lucky one and sure he loves the stage.”

–Simon Scott

Flexible and Rich Fellers in action at the London 2012 Olympic Games

What the riders said

“‘Thomas has never been easy, but he is one of the all-time greatest horses that I have ever had the pleasure of riding, He is my ultimate teammate and we have travelled the world together, had some incredible times and made some very special memories. He has been so consistent and has achieved more than most horses would ever do in a lifetime 10 times over.

We put in place a very longterm programmes for Thomas, to help him develop his talent mentally and physically and the way he trotted up on Monday morning after Burghley - swishing his tail and trotting like a five-year-old - we can only hope he has some more special moments to come.”

–Oliver Townend

“He’s fantastic. I’ve obviously had him for quite a while now, since he was a seven-year-old and he seems to be gone from strength to strength. He’s had a fantastic season this year, he’s been very, very consistent and also to be top of the Irish list is already something, you see how strong the list is at the moment. There’s plenty of good Irish-breds and the whole breeding side seems to be getting stronger and stronger. So I think that’s encouraging for everybody.

Pacino Amiro has had a nice break since Calgary and Riyadh is his first show since. He does the Super Grand Prix in Prague at the Global Champions Tour final and then I’ll finish off the year with a La Coruña, there’s a World Cup qualifier there. He won the Grand Prix there in the summer, so it’d be nice to go back for the indoor show and then the Rolex Grand Slam in Geneva.”

–Bertram Allen

Charlotte Jacobs and Rincoola Milsean in action at Balmoral \ Anne Hughes

Top ISH eventing horses 2023

Second - Ballaghmor Class (2007). Courage II (HOLST) - Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey. Rider: Oliver Townend (GB).

Fourth - Rehy DJ (2010). Tinarana’s Inspector (WESTF) - Rehys Misty, by Big Sink Hope (TB). Breeder: Noel Russell. Rider: Yasmin Ingham (GB).

11th - Black Ice (2010). Vechta (KWPN) - Brookhall Lady, by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Judith McClelland. Rider: Jerome Robin (GER).

17th - Cavalier Crystal (2010). Jack of Diamonds (SWB) - Cavalier Iris, by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Horgan. Rider: Harry Meade (GB).

17th - Oughterard Cooley (TIH) (2010). Puissance (ISH) (TIH) - Oughterard Sky Cruise, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH). Breeder: Gerard Lynch. Rider: Wills Oakden (GB).

20th - HSH Blake (2015). Tolan R (KWPN) - Doughiska Lass, by Kannan (KWPN). Breeder: Justin Burke. Rider: Caroline Pamakcu (USA).

Did you know

  • Ballaghmor Class is currently ranked as the leading event horse in the Hippomundo rankings (€194,523). Even with Pau’s €50,000 first prize on offer this weekend, he cannot be caught. Incidentally, Colorado Blue’s big Maryland win has rocketed the Kate Jarvey-bred up to second place (€145,387).
  • Rehy DJ’s damsire Big Sink Hope stood at the Russell family’s Kilkee farm. Noel is the second of three Banner County breeders in this year’s top event horse breeders.
  • Vechta is the name of both William Funnell’s 1.60m Grand Prix stallion and a north German city, capital of Oldenburg breeding. Just 115km south is Warendorf, where Black Ice’s German rider Jérôme Robiné is based at the Sports College of the German Armed Forces.
  • Cavalier Crystal, another Waterford-bred, like WBFSH rankings regular Imperial Cavalier, won the Burghley five-year-old young event horse final in 2015.
  • Oughterard Point West is sold to new UK owner Kathryn Board. Gerard Lynch’s Pointilliste colt foal is a half-brother to Oughterard Cooley, the sole traditional-bred in this top-six.
  • HSH Blake is on the American team at the Pan-Am Games currently underway in Santiago, Chile with in-form rider Caroline Pamakcu. She won the CCI3*-L at Maryland last weekend with another Justin Burke-bred: HSH Connor.

    • Top ISH show jumping horses 2023

    Yasmin Ingham riding Rehy DJ in the CCI5*L AT Luhmuhlen 2023 \ EquusPix Photography

    Did you know

  • Pacino Amiro, in overall sixth place in the Hippomundo show jumping rankings, is currently the top ISH (€747,790). And his ‘Buddy’ nickname? “The girls named him that when he came here, he was kind of called Buddy from the start and that stuck!”
  • James Kann Cruz (€413,150) is the next highest-ranked Irish-bred in 14th place. Namesake James is breeder Patrick Connolly’s grandson.
  • Wondered about Up Too Jacco Blue’s name too? See Mark Sherry’s Breeders’ 10 on page 93.
  • A bittersweet result for Rincoola Milsean’s top-six place, as it’s another posthumous honour for the late Harold McGahern, who also bred his Luidam half-sister, Rincoola Babog.
  • Over The River, the Hickey family’s famous National Hunt sire and damsire of GRS Lady Amaro, also produced the Olympic event horse Over To You.
  • BP Wakita followed in her famous sire Pacino’s hoofprints by competing in the WBFSH championships at Lanaken.

    • WBFSH rankings 2004 - 2023

    Ballaghmor Class and Pacino Amiro are the latest top Irish Sport Horses in the WBFSH rankings.

    From another Burghley winner - Ballincoola - and Carling King, (who, with Kevin Babington, still ranks as the highest-placed Irish-bred and Irish rider combination at the Olympics), here’s a look at the other leading Irish-breds in the WBFSH rankings over the past 20 years.

    Top Irish Sport Horse – Eventing

    2004 - Ballincoola. (TIH). WBFSH ranking: Seventh. Highland King (ISH) (TIH) - Dawn Girl, by Kildalton Gold (ID). Breeder: Pat Keogh.

    2005 - Ben Along Time. Sixth. Cavalier Royale (HOLST) - Campaigner’s Dream, by Campaigner (TB). James Jameson.

    2006 - Ringwood Cockatoo. First. Peacock (TB) - Bailey’s Folly, by Skylark (ID). Hilary Greer.

    2007 - McKinlaigh (TIH). Third. Highland King (ISH) (TIH) - Kilcumney Hostess, by Stetchworth Lad (TB). Yvonne Walsh.

    2008 - Ben Along Time. Second.

    2009 - Ringwood Cockatoo. Ninth.

    2010 - Mandiba (ISH). First. Master Imp (TB) - High Dolly, by Chair Lift (TB). William Micklem.

    2011 - Lenamore (TIH). 16th. Sea Crest (ID) - Karinella (TB) by Valiyar. Helen Walsh.

    2012 - Mr Medicott (TIH). First. Cruising (ISH) (TIH) - Slieveluachra, by Edmund Burke (TB). Dr. Donal Geaney.

    2013 - Mr Cruise Control (ISH). Sixth. Cruising (ISH) TIH) - Chia, by Broussard. Jenny McCann.

    2014 - Kilronan (TIH). Ninth. Ghareeb (TB) - Ramble Way, by Diamond Lad (ID). Patrick Fenlon.

    2015 - Cambalda. Ninth. Balda Beau (TB) - Cathy’s Lady, by Diamond Serpent (ISH). John Irish.

    2016 - Mighty Nice. Second. Ard Ohio (KWPN) - Sarazen. William Kells.

    2017 - Cooley Cross Border. Eighth. Diamond Roller (ISH) - Whos Diaz, by Osilvis (KWPN). Johnny Duffy.

    2018 - Horseware Stellor Rebound. 11th. VDL Ricochet (KWPN) - Teachan, by Parliament (TB). Rhona Barnwell.

    2019 - Ballaghmor Class. Third. Courage II (HOLST) - Kilderry Place. Noel Hickey.

    2020 - Horseware Woodcourt Garrison. 10th. Garrison Royal (ISH) - Davitt Star, by Furisto (HANN). Patrick J. Kearns.

    2021 - Brookfield Inocent. Fourth. Inocent (KWPN) - Shalies Pet, by Kings Servant (ISH) (TIH). John Mulvey.

    2022 - Off The Record. Fifth. VDL Arkansas (KWPN) - Drumgoland Bay, by Ard Ohio (KWPN). Peter G. Brady.

    2023 - Ballaghmor Class. Second.

    Simon Scott, Pacino Amiro's breeder, pictured at Balmoral Show \ Susan Finnerty

    Top Irish Sport Horse – Show Jumping

    2004 - Carling King. WBFSH ranking: 19th. Clover Hill (ID) - Gortnageer Star, by Chair Lift (TB). Breeder: Dr. Pat Geraghty.

    2005 - McGuinness. 38th. Cavalier Royale (HOLST) - Farnagh Goldie. Josephine Jordan.

    2006 - McGuinness. 10th.

    2007 - Mo Chroi (TIH). 26th. Cruising (ISH) (TIH) - Into The Blue, by Mr Lord (TB). Claire McDonnell.

    2008 - Flexible (TIH). 48th. Cruising (ISH) (TIH) - Flex, by Safari (TB). Catherine Doyle.

    2009 - Flexible. 38th.

    2010 - Flexible. 14th

    2011 - Flexible. Ninth.

    2012 - Flexible. Sixth.

    Oliver Townend with his proud father Alan after Ballaghmor Class won Burghley for the first time in 2017 \ Susan Finnerty

    2013 - Castlefield Eclipse. 76th. O.B.O.S Quality 004 (OLD) - Furisto Clover Hill, by Furisto (HANN). Sarah Nihill.

    2014 - Castlefield Eclipse. 25th.

    2015 - Castlefield Eclipse. 71st.

    2016 - Limestone Grey. 57th. Try-Time (KWPN) - Millparks Courageous Lady. David Moran.

    2017 - Limestone Grey. 76th.

    2018 - Luibanta BH. 99th. Luidam (KWPN) - Mibanta, by Abantos (KWPN). Justin Burke.

    2019 - Loughnavatta Indigo. 154th. Luidam (KWPN) - Loughnavatta Sabrina, by VDL Arkansas. Rory Costigan.

    2020 - Luibanta BH. 84th.

    2021 - Pacino Amiro. 64th. Pacino (BWP) - Carnone Dancing Queen, by NC Amiro (AES). Simon Scott.

    2022 - James Kann Cruz. 37th. Kannan (KWPN) - CSF Telly Cruz, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH). Patrick Connolly.

    2023 - Pacino Amiro. Fourth.

    Andrew Townend and Ballaghmor Class at the Tokyo Olympic Games \ Tomas Holcbecher

    By the retro numbers

    Five - years that Flexible was the highest-ranked Irish show jumper (2008-2012), the most times recorded by any Irish Sport Horse in the WBFSH rankings.

    Four - years when Slyguff Stud stallions: Highland King (Ballincoola, McKinlaigh), Master Imp (Mandiba) and Balda Beau (Cambalda) produced the top-ranked Irish event horses.

    Three - Irish Sport Horses topped the WBFSH eventing rankings: Ringwood Cockatoo (2006), Mandiba (2010) and Mr Medicott (2012).

    Two - stallions have had top-ranked Irish Sport Horses in both disciplines: McGuinness and Ben Along Time for Cavalier Royale and Mr Medicott and Cruise Control (eventing), plus Flexible and Mo Chroi for Cruising.

    One - of this year’s top-six eventing breeders Justin Burke also bred the two-time top-ranked Irish show jumping horse: Luibanta BH (2018, 2020).