WEXFORD breeder Denis Hickey attended the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin, this week to collect his €1,000 prize for breeding the highest-place Irish horse in the recent €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show.

The initiative was sponsored by the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA) Horse Project and it was aimed at raising the profile of Irish breeders and giving something back for their invaluable efforts.

“Breeders are the lifeblood of every equestrian discipline, and they need support and encouragement like never before. Sport horse breeders are in every parish in the country, and it is only fair that they receive some of the recognition,” IFA Horse Project Team chair, Conor O’Leary, said.

Denis was the proud breeder of GRS Lady Amaro (Amaretto D’Arco x Over The River) who finished second in the Grand Prix with his nephew, Mark McAuley. The mare was produced by Denis’ son Patrick who is the current national show jumping champion in Ireland. Patrick and his older brother William run the sport horse side of Garryrichard Stud in Foulksmills, Co Wexford.