DESPITE being likeable and ultra successful, the O’Callaghan family of Tally-Ho Stud aren’t exactly dream interview subjects. I say that with no disrespect, as it’s in large part due to their aversion to anything resembling bragging, along with their reluctance to over-analyse.

Some might think that they got to where they are now - standing eight stallions of either high promise or proven success, along with breeding numerous Group 1 horses - by crunching numbers and dissecting pedigrees, but it’s not the case, at least to my mind. Some people treat pedigree pages as a surefire way of predicting the future - what talent the family could produce, along with potential pitfalls, but not them.

While shadowing them at a handful of sales, I once asked if the mare’s damsire might cause concern, given their reputation for wind issues. One of the O’Callaghans replied: “Black cats don’t always have black kittens.” My aspiration of learning a winning formula was immediately crushed, but at the same time, it quelled habits of searching for negatives and fuelled the belief that anything is possible.

So, if nothing is certain, and one must approach breeding horses while trusting fate, how can I get a straight answer out of Roger and Tony O’Callaghan? I started with what I thought a simple question; the Tally-Ho roster is eight-strong in 2026 with Big Evs, Good Guess, King Of Steel, Kodiac, Maranoa Charlie, Mehmas, Persian Force and Starman. Is that a full house for them?

“We’re never full,” Roger replies with a laugh. Okay then. Is the larger roster the result of a well-executed plan, or did it happen organically? “We just go with the flow. Whatever we can get our hands on, basically,” Roger says. Righty-ho…

True believers

By this stage, I have enough sense not to ask Roger and Tony what they consider the secret to their success. Instead, I focus on Tally-Ho’s reputation for supporting their own stallions’ stock at the sales - undoubtedly one of the reasons their stallions are so popular with breeders, particularly at early or risky stages of their careers.

So, why support their stallions so heavily in the ring? Cue much humming and hawing, before Tony summarises: “Because they’re good enough. We give our own stock preferential treatment.”

I imagine it also helps to attract repeat business, and Roger confirms it: “For sure. The world is made to go round, isn’t it?” But ultimately, it’s testament to the belief they have in their recruits, he says: “We hope we’re buying a calibre of horse that people want to use, and we have to cover all our own mares with them, so we have to believe in the horse when we buy them.”

There was perhaps no better example of this than at the Goffs November Foal Sale, where their purchases included two by Cotai Glory, despite the stallion having been sold to Turkey earlier that year. His export might affect his commercial appeal at the 2026 yearling sales, but it doesn’t render Cotai Glory’s three Group 1 winners obsolete, as Roger reminds me.

“Cotai is a good stallion,” he says. “We sold Cotai because we got a lot of money for a horse that, if we didn’t sell him now, he’d probably stay here for life. We bought the foals because we liked them, and Cotai does us well every year, too.

“Money talks and when we sold Cotai, we brought in Maranoa [Charlie]. Cotai was a good stallion, but he wasn’t the best stallion, and he definitely wasn’t the worst stallion. Other people wanted him, so good luck to them.”

Maranoa Charlie: “A great-moving, athletic, scopey horse” \ Healy Racing

Bright young thing

Prix de la Foret victor Maranoa Charlie is the latest addition to the Co Westmeath Farm, with Bond Thoroughbreds retaining part ownership of the son of Wootton Bassett. Breeders have been keen to view the new recruit in recent weeks, but for many, their first opportunity comes at the ITM Irish Stallion Trail.

When asked to describe the four-time group winner as a physical, Tony simply says ‘outstanding’, while Roger adds: “A great-moving, athletic, scopey horse.” A €220,000 yearling, the now four-year-old is particularly exciting for daughters of Kodiac, as his Galileo dam is a half-sister to the top-class two-year-old Tiggy Wiggy (Kodiac).

Tally-Ho also have some unfinished business when it comes to Wootton Bassett, as Tony O’Callaghan viewed the son of Iffraaj as a potential stallion prospect after he retired from racing. Understandably, Tony doesn’t have much to say on the matter - “That’s history now, Amy.” Is Maranoa Charlie better looking than his sire, I offer? “For sure!” is Tony’s reply.

As well as gearing up for the breeding season, the Tally-Ho team have their hands full with numerous weanlings, while the breeze-up horses are on the walker and lunging before soon turning to full work. There’s no chance of downtime during the summer, with store horses to consign before yearling prep begins.

Is it difficult, juggling all the different elements? “It can be, but that’s part of the adventure, isn’t it?” Roger says. Does Tony consider it an adventure, too, I ask. “Sure, everything is an adventure,” he says. “I certainly wouldn’t want a routine job anyway. We like doing something different every day and to be coming and going, and keeping busy.”

“We like meeting different people,” Roger adds, while Tony continues: “There’s always something new around the corner.”

So, does that mean they never get stressed? “We don’t do stress,” Tony replies. “If we win, we win, and if we lose, we take it.”

“And do a better job the next time,” Roger adds with a laugh. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ITM IRISH STALLION TRAIL