FOR more than a decade now, The Irish Field has sponsored a cash prize, along with a trophy from the Irish National Stud, for an essay written by one of the students graduating from the renowned Thoroughbred Breeding Management Course.

The aim of this prize is to get the students to think about the subject in hand, do some research, and put forward a proposal, as such, that will make the judge (me), feel good after reading. A tall order, perhaps, but this is not an English essay competition – rather one to get some idea about how passionate the student feels about the subject they choose to write about.

All but two of the 25 students submitted a work, and just about half of them were marked with a score of 80%, a very high standard, indeed. What I loved about the winning essay was how personal the writer made it, and that she really stood aside from going for the obvious choices for a topic. Now heading to work in Coolmore Australia, this year’s winner is Caithlin Kenneally.

Starting out at The Beeches Stud in Co. Waterford, Caithlin found her passion for the thoroughbred industry there.

For two and a half years she gained experience in both Ireland and America, including running a mare and foal barn, and also assisting at foaling in Coolmore America’s flagship, Ashford Stud. After returning to Ireland and before she started the course at Tully, Caithlin was based at Airlie Stud, gaining more experience on night shifts and foaling mares, and attending the yearling, mare and foal sales. She is committed to developing a successful career within the industry.

I WOULD like to propose a National Hunt producer as a ‘blue hen’. This accolade is traditionally used to describe an elite broodmare, and is the pinnacle of excellence. A blue hen is a rare type, producing high-quality offspring and champion racehorses, often four or more Grade 1 winners, or having a colt become an influential stallion at stud.

While this definition may capture the most extraordinary producers, it perhaps overlooks the mares that produce sound, talented and successful progeny who quietly build successful families over time. Although these latter mares may not meet the extreme ‘blue hen’ standards outlined by Leo Powell in his lecture to the students, I believe they shape the sport in ways that are just as important, giving smaller breeders a chance against bigger commercial farms, all the while keeping the excitement and unpredictability of the game alive.

I believe mares producing successful progeny deserve more recognition throughout the industry, as they are the backbone of our sport. The mare I am proposing as a National Hunt blue hen is called Old Moon, a 2001-foaled daughter of the Sadler’s Wells stallion Old Vic. My choice of mare carries a touch of sentiment, as she was part of my earliest experiences in the industry, during my time at The Beeches Stud in Tallow, Co Waterford.

McCarthy family

Owned by the McCarthy family, Old Moon is now 25 years old and living a happy retirement. She is in great health. Her story is one that I will always remember, thanks to the remarkable success she has achieved as a broodmare. Bobby McCarthy purchased Old Moon in June of 2004 at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €7,000. She has since then only known The Beeches Stud as her home.

Despite being an unbroken and unraced mare, and only standing about 15 hands, Old Moon has gone on to produce eight winners (one of them in a point-to-point) from 10 runners, resulting in four blacktype horses. She still has more to come, and maybe better that record. Old Moon consistently produces size, scope and quality in her progeny, all the while passing on her fantastic temperament.

Old Moon’s most notable runner has been Ballyburn, foaled in 2018 and a son of Flemensfirth. He is a four-time Grade 1 hurdle winner. Ballyburn gained these victories at Cheltenham, Leopardstown twice and Punchestown. Old Moon’s other standout progeny includes two full-brothers to Ballyburn, Grade 2 winner Noble Endeavor, and the listed-placed Minella Daddy. She is also dam of a listed bumper winner by Wings Of Eagles, Churchfield Sunset.

Longevity

Old Moon’s longevity as a broodmare also impresses me. She continued to breed quality as an older broodmare. Her Grade 1 winner Ballyburn was born when she was 17, which makes him 12 years younger than her first winner, Valley Lad, also by Flemensfirth. This is why I believe mares like Old Moon deserve more recognition. She was given a fair chance without a race record supporting her, and went on to excel as a broodmare.

Mares like Old Moon prove it is possible for smaller breeders to succeed, and her story should influence young people to become involved in the industry; at least that was the case for me.

From taking care of this little mare with the biggest heart, to watching her best son Ballyburn come home first in Cheltenham, these are feelings I will never forget.

Maybe Old Moon doesn’t meet the strict traditional criteria of a blue hen. Maybe the industry needs a new title to describe these special mares, but until that day comes Old Moon will always be a blue hen to me.