TWO dashing part-bred Irish Draughts caught the eye at Aintree last week as they led in the Crabbie’s Topham Chase winner Eastlake, ridden by Barry Geraghty and owned by J.P. McManus

The jet black stallion Cos Me Is Black and shining grey mare Bounce were immaculately turned out and ridden side saddle by Morgan Schive and Amy Bryan-Dowell at the racecourse.

Cos Me Is Black is owned by Mrs Susan McKim and stands at stud at Thorpeley Stud in Leicestershire. He is by The Crofter (ID), whose pedigree includes King Of Diamonds and Mountain Heather, and is out of a thoroughbred-type mare. Produced by Bruce Langley McKim, the part-bred is a Class 1 registered stallion in the Irish Draught Horse Society of Great Britain’s sport horse register.

“It’s actually his third year at Aintree,” explained Langley McKim, who rides the 10-year-old stallion in a variety of disciplines, including taking the unorthodox step of riding side saddle himself. “He has done everything. He has been used for field mastering, hunting hounds and whipping-in with the Quorn,” he explained. “He does open team chasing and is the leading side saddle stallion in Britain.

“He has 36 foals on the ground, the oldest of those is five years old now and he has 27 mares due to foal down this season.” Bounce, an eight-year-old grey mare by Grange Bouncer, is also a regular on the hunting field with Amy Bryan-Dowell, founder and owner of online hunting apparel store www.theoldhuntinghabit.co.uk.

SIDE SADDLE

“We hunt all winter with the Cheshire, mainly side saddle,” Amy told The Irish Field. “We jump hedges, ditches, rails, you name it. We like to give the men a run for their money. Then in summer we go showing. Bounce has been the Cheshire Show champion for the past three years and was the Aintree National Show side saddle champion.”

She added: “She loves Aintree, the crowds and the atmosphere. As well as leading in the Topham Chase winner, we were on horse-catching duty on Thursday and on Grand National Day, when we were stationed at the Canal Turn.”