THE Lynskey family at Derryronane Stud recently lost their good servant and double gold merit Irish Draught stallion, Moylough Bouncer. Bred by William Bourke, the gentle giant was by Grange Bouncer out of the Grey Macha mare Another June Day.

“He was eight years old when I got him and we had him for 12 years. I bought him off Eamon and Gladys McArdle, they delivered him down here and he’s actually the first horse my wife Grainne and I bought between us,” Liam Lynskey said.

“He was in the same stable for 12 years, the king of the yard and the first Irish Draught stallion here. Now we have his son DS Ballagh Bouncer. When I bought DS Ballagh Bouncer as a foal, I told his breeder Brendan Duffy that he would replace his father one day. And now he has. He has to step up and fill his hooves.

“Moylough Bouncer bred a 1.30m horse in Moylough Darraghs Vision and DS Ballagh Bouncer is following up the grades.

“He [Moylough Bouncer] was a double gold merit stallion himself for his show progeny and his own show jumping performance. Matt Gordon show jumped him up to Connacht Grand Prix level and we had many a great day out with him.”

The photo of Liam and his son William on board Moylough Bouncer, demonstrating the Draught’s placid nature, was captured six years ago at Dublin Horse Show as the Mayo family were getting ready to go home to Swinford.