Irish bred event horses taking on Rolex Kentucky CCI4* 2015

Francis Murray General April 17, 2015

In the build-up to last year’s Rolex Kentucky CCI4* we highlighted the previous Irish bred winners of the US event in the ‘Erin Go Irish’ series produced by the Irish Horse Gateway for our friends in Eventing Nation. ‘Erin Go Irish: Past Rolex Champions’ can be read here for those who missed it.

Victory in 2014 once again fell to the Irish Sport Horse studbook when William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Wexford-bred Bay My Hero (ISH) finished on their dressage score to claim the prestigious event. Their was a further boost for the Irish bred event horse when Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH), ridden by USA’s Bruce Davidson Jnr, and Trading Aces (ISH), under Phillip Dutton (USA) also recorded top-ten finishes.

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Bay My Hero (ISH).
Photo credit: Alec Thayer.

Bred by Bryan Maguire the 2014 champion Bay My Hero returns to Rolex Kentucky next week. Sired by the now deceased Thoroughbred Cult Hero, Bay My Hero is out of the prolific mare Bing Power, by Tomgar Power Crest, who is still an active part of the Maguire’s breeding programme. Additional Irish bred contenders include 2012 Olympian & WEG 2014 competitor High Kingdom (Zara Phillips), Ballynoe Castle RM (Bruce Davidson Jnr) who was 7th in Rolex 2014 and last year’s Blenheim CCI3* winner Easy Target (Francis Whittington).

Zara Phillips (GBR) & High Kingdom (ISH)

For a full list of the Irish bred entries aiming to take on the renowned CCI4* event please see below. Well done to the Irish breeders, producers and connections responsible for the ongoing achievements of these horses.

Irish bred horses entered for Rolex Kentucky CCI4* as of 31^st March 2015:

1. Andromaque (TB) – 2001 mare by Anshan (TB) out of Gortnagale (TB), by Strong Gale (TB). Breeder: Patrick Hennessy. Owner: Jennifer Mosing & Sterling Silver Stables. Rider: Will Faudree (USA)

2. Annie Clover (ISH) – 2004 mare by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Kilderry Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: James Bradley, Co. Cork. Owner: Marry & Barry Tweddle. Rider: Nicola Wilson (GBR)
3. Balham Houdini (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Warrenstown You 2 (ISH) out of Mimi (ISH), by Hallo (SF). Breeder: Ronan Tynan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Austin O’Connor & Kate Jarvey. Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL)
4. Ballylaffin Bracken (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Ballylaffin Florence (WNTR), by Farhaan (TB). Breeder: Catherine Long, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Kristin Bill & Janet Schmolze. Rider: Kristin Schmolze (USA)
5. Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH) – 2000 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballyvaldon Natalie (ISH), by Blue Laser (TB). Breeder: Sylvester Cullen, Co. Wexford. Owner: Cassandra Segal. Rider: Buck Davidson (USA)
6. Bay My Hero (ISH) {TIH} – 2003 gelding by Cult Hero (TB) out of Bing Power (ISH), by Tomgar Power Crest (ISH). Breeder: Bryan Maguire, Co. Wexford. Owner: Catherine Witt. Rider: William Fox-Pitt (GBR)
7. Cambalda (ISH) – 2002 gelding by Balda Beau (WNTR) out of Cathys Lady (ISH), by Diamond Serpent (ISH). Breeder: John Irish, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Nina Gardner. Rider: Jennie Brannigan (USA)
8. Cavallino Cocktail (ISH) – 2002 mare by Ekstein (KWPN) out of Tims Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ralph Conroy, Co. Galway. Owner/Rider: Zachary Brandt (USA)
9. Easy Target (ISH) – 2001 gelding by The Artist (BSPA) out of Lady King (ISH), by King Henry (ID). Breeder: John Conheeney, Co. Galway. Owner: Catherine Witt. Rider: Francis Whittington (GBR)
10. Fernhill By Night (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Argentina XII (OLD), by Argentinus (HANN). Breeder: Etter Sportpferde AG, Co. Offaly. Owner: Deborah Halliday. Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)
11. Fernhill Flutter (ISH) {TIH} – 2002 gelding by Puissance (ISH) out of Warrior Queen (ISH), by Euphemism (TB). Breeder: Samuel J Smyth, Co. Antrim. Owner/Rider: Kevin Keane (USA)
12. Fernhill Fugitive (ISH) – 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Barnadown Ramiro (ISH), by Ramiro B (BWP). Breeder: Maurice Cousins, Co. Wexford. Owner: Thomas Tierney & Ann Jones. Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)
13. HHS Cooley (ISH)* – 2004 gelding by Clover Echo (ISH) out of Flown (ISH), by Imperius (TB). Breeder: Thomas A Hughes, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Deborah Halliday. Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)
14. High Kingdom (ISH) {TIH} – 2001 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of High Dolly (ISH), by Chair Lift (TB). Breeder: William Micklem, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Gleadhill Stud Ltd. & Trevor Hemmings. Rider: Zara Phillips (GBR)
15. Improvise (ISH) {TIH} – 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Diamond Wood (ISH), by Marwood (TB). Breeder: Anastasia Lawlor, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Ali Butler, Elisabeth Murdoch & Jenny Levett. Rider: William Levett (AUS)
16. Luckaun Quality (ISH) – 2005 gelding by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Colwyn Bay (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ronan Sheehan, Co. Laois. Owner/Rider: Tim Bourke (IRL)
17. Master Frisky (ISH) {TIH} – 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Frisky Legs (ISH), by Coopers Hill (ID). Breeder: Sean Power, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Stephen Blauner. Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)
18. Mighty Nice (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Ard Ohio (KWPN) out of Sarazen (ISH). Breeder: William Kells, Co. Cavan. Owner: Evie Dutton. Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)
19. OBOS O’Reilly (ISH) – 2003 gelding by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Omard Clover Queen (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Brian O’Reilly, Co. Cavan. Owner: Four Star Eventing Group. Rider: William Coleman (USA)* Indicates horses withdrawn since 31st March 2015