BREEDING a Gold Cup winner is the ultimate ambition for anyone involved in that aspect of National Hunt racing. So, to see Minella Indo, a horse I sold as a foal, go on to win the blue riband at last week’s Cheltenham Festival really was a dream come through. Having grown up in the hunting/point-to-point scene, it really doesn’t get any better for a diehard jumping aficionado.

I was born into a staunch National Hunt family in Worcester. Our involvement in breeding thoroughbreds went back three or four generations, with a number of winners during that period.

From a young age, I competed in pony clubs and went hunting and point-to-pointing with my family. Every year, the local point-to-point was held on our farm, so the Easter holidays were spent helping my father build the fences for the upcoming event. Saturday racing was considered sacrosanct in our house and you dare not speak when the television was on.

After completing my secondary education, I went on to train and work as a teacher. My interest in horses remained strong throughout those years, as I continued to attend point-to-points and race meetings.

Then, I met Dick (Lalor), who was assistant trainer to Michael Oliver at the time and that was it. We got married and came to live in Ireland in 1980, setting up home in Dick’s original family farm.

Family farm

As I didn’t speak Irish, working as a teacher was no longer an option, so I focussed on helping build up the farm and raising a family of our own. The first yearling we bought was from Michael Oliver; Dick’s old boss. The filly, who had been bred by our neighbour, Danny Kinane, was later named Carrigeensharraga. She would go on to become the cornerstone of our breeding operation, producing multiple winners over the years, most of whom bore the Carrigeen prefix. Dick took out a trainer’s licence as soon as he came back (1980) and sent out numerous winners both in point-to-points and under rules.

Carrigeen bloodline

Carrigeen Kerria and Carrigeen Lily were prolific winners on the racecourse before going on to do likewise as broodmares. The latter, who is out of Carrigeensharragh, is the dam of 2021 Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.

Our business model has primarily been to sell colts and keep fillies to strengthen the Carrigeen bloodline. At the present time, we have 35 horses from the Carrigeen line. Carrigeen Bloodstock is a real family affair, with sons Richard and John and our daughter Liz, all very much part of the success.

Liz is a well-known amateur jockey, who has been champion point-to-point rider on many occasions. It makes it extra special to be able to enjoy the big days together, as we have all played our part to make it happen. Be it a win in a point-to-point, on the track or with a homebred horse, the success means as much to each of us. Dick’s grandfather was a public trainer so there have always been very good gallops on the farm.

Over the years, we have run schooling bumpers, at which local trainers race their prospective hopes. Ever since we sold Minella Indo to John Nallen as a foal we had been keeping tabs on his progress. John (Nallen) had always loved the horse but the family need time and in that regard John always did right by Minella Indo. When it finally came time to show his true potential, it was fitting that he should do so by winning a schooling bumper here on our farm.

Having won his point-to-point for John Nallen at Dromahane, Minella Indo was then sold to Henry de Bromhead. In 2019, he won the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, as well as a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival.

RSA Chase

Last year, as a novice chaser, he again showed his liking for the big stage when second to Champ in the RSA Chase at the festival. His career as a second season chaser started well with wins at Wexford and Navan but after falling at Leopardstown over Christmas and disappointing at that same venue in February, some questioned his credentials for the Gold Cup.

However, we always believed in the horse and remained confident he could run a big race on the day that mattered. Henry (de Bromhead) always said that the horse just comes alive when he gets to Cheltenham, so he too, expected a huge run.

It was very special to see Minella Indo go and win the Gold Cup last Friday week. Just like anyone who breeds flat horses dream of winning the Derby, for us, it has always been about the Gold Cup. To have done so is very special, something we can always be proud of.

Paul Nicholls

In this sport, you are always looking ahead, so hopefully there are more big days to come. It was exciting to see Paul Nicholls give glowing reports about Lime Avenue a four-year-old filly out of Carrigeen Kohleria, the dam of Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel, describing her as one of the best jumpers he had seen at that age.

The plan for us is to expand and grow the bloodstock side of the business. We have some lovely young horses at home right now, both homebreds and stock that has been sourced by John either privately or at the various public auctions across Britain, France and Ireland, all of whom are for sale. A Walk In The Park gelding out of a sister to Minella Indo is a particularly exciting prospect and he will be consigned at the 2021 Land Rover Sale.

Anne Lalor was in conversation with John O’Riordan