COLONEL Hall-Walker, later Lord Wavertree, established a stud at Tully in Co Kildare. He bred the winners of seven English classics and, by gifting his bloodstock during World War I, provided the genesis for two National Studs.

Yet his greatest contribution to upgrading the thoroughbred was to introduce, at the turn of the century, a young Indian Prince, the late Aga Khan III, to English racing. Later on, this same influential friendship would lead the Aga Khan to purchase land and start breeding in Ireland.