Croker Cup

PROVISIONALLY seven, the number of Croker Cup entries now stands at six for this year’s thoroughbred stallion class, to be judged by Jean-Luc Defour from France and John Ferguson from Suffolk. Kylemore Stud’s 2008 champion Watermill Swatch was a recent loss, while Gortnamona Stud’s late Darsi, the 2019 victor, is another name to add to the posthumous champions list.

As with the Irish Draught stallion class, Drumhowan Stud has three entries, a move that ensured the class, a shop window for traditional and thoroughbred fans, went ahead.

Two of the McArdle entries, the German-bred Lucarelli and Rosier are both by the 2002 Epsom and Irish Derby winner High Chaparral, while Sir Lando, by the Acatenango son Lando, completes their Monaghan challenge this year.

Another German-bred entry is the Mamool-sired Kopperfield, standing in Letterkenny with Shaun Doherty and like Barbara Hatton’s contender Gibeon, is another first-timer in Ring 1. Gibeon, by Cape Cross, has much to live up to at his Slyguff Stud base with Golden Master and Pointilliste being their most recent stallions on parade at Dublin.

Completing the line-up of sporting owners is John Varley who brings the easily-spotted light grey Centennial up to Dublin from his Coolin House Stud.

As in recent years, one stallion will be selected from the line-up to receive the magnificent Croker Cup in this Horse Sport Ireland-supported class. Watch the thoroughbred stallions parade on Friday (12.45pm) immediately after The Irish Field Breeders Championship while the class will be judged the following afternoon (12.45pm).