WHILE most riders gave stable names for the horses and ponies they partnered in last Sunday’s Ward Union Antler Challenge, the Senior race winner, Johnny Drake, listed his mount as registered, Portphilip Quality.

“One of the first people who contacted me, when the result was posted online, was the horse’s breeder,” said Ward Union member Drake. “He told me that he really appreciated the fact that I used the horse’s full name so they could keep track of anything he does.”

Apart from one bay gelding, all horses registered on CapallOir with a Portphilip prefix were bred in Co Tipperary by Bernadette Boland whose husband, Andy, informed the Irish Horse World that Sunday’s winner, a 12-year-old OBOS Quality 004 gelding, got his speed from his dam, Chair Haven.

“She was by Chair Lift and not far from thoroughbred,” related Andy. “She was one of three foundation mares we bought when we first got into breeding. She bred us 12 or so foals including the Colin Diamond full-brothers Portphilip CD and Portphilip Delight who were both international eventers.

“We sold most of her foals, including fillies, but have held on to a two-year-old granddaughter of hers, Portphilip My Rose Darling, who is by Carrick Diamond Lad. We are going to cover by our own stallion Portphilip Royale (by Cavalier Royale – Portphilip Cruise, by Cruising) who we just stand privately for our own mares.”