Irish-bred horses in recent International Eventing competition

Francis Murray General February 27, 2019

With only six weekends completed in Eventing in the USA, Irish-bred horses are showing up well. Seven horses have gained a Top-ten place three times already; Around Midnight, Buccaneer, Cooley Cavalier, Duiske Abbey, Fernhill Chaos, SBT Clover Road and Xuanatu.

It is unsurprising that Master Imp (TB) leads the list of sires. Seven horses by him have recently competed, with a total of 11 Top-ten placings between them and Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) has five horses with seven Top-ten placings. Cobra (HOLST) had five horses with six Top-ten placings and Chacoa (HOLST) had six Top-ten placings with four of his progeny. Tinaranas Inspector’s two offspring attained five Top-ten placings as did Koongaaf (KWPN) while Carrick Diamond Lad (ISH)[TIH] had four results with three of his sons.

Cooley Moonshine (ISH) by Cobra (HOLST) out of Kilpatrick Duchess (ISH) ridden by Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp at Le Lion D’Angers. (Photo: Solene Bailly). 

Keeping with sires, a look at the dam’s sires unsurprisingly shows 12 Top-tens for the stalwart of Irish sport horse breeding – Clover Hill (ID), who had seven grandchildren in that number. Only Cruising (ISH)[TIH] beats him with 13 Top-ten from nine, followed by Glidawn Diamond (ID) with seven from four horses and Cavalier Royale (HOLST) with six Top-ten placings from four horses.

Only one mare bred more than one foal who went on to a Top-ten placing in the USA (so far), and that was Tessie Rossa (ISH). Both foals were by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) and bred by Patricia Hassett McMahon in Clare. Bryan Maguire (Wexford) bred two horses to attain four Top-ten placings and those breeding one horse to get three Top-ten placings were David McCann (Kildare), Heather Allen (Armagh), James Ryan (Limerick), Joseph Delaney (Laois), Patrick Brennan (Cork) and William Kennedy (Kerry).

One has to remember – some of these horses have to travel long distances to compete and this helps to confirm the soundness and temperament of the Irish-bred horse.

All results can be seen on the HSI website and, if space allows, in The Irish Field (or on their website).

The above piece was researched and written by Charlie Ripman for Horse Sport Ireland.