WHILE buying young National Hunt horses in France has become increasingly popular in recent years with Irish owners and trainers, Downpatrick’s Jeremy Maxwell is a veteran when it comes to dealing with French breeders and he has had great success in this field.

This season, one of the flagbearers for the Glebe House Stud owner is Easysland who gave J.P. McManus the third of four winners on Wednesday when impressively landing the cross-country chase under Jonathan Plouganou. McManus purchased the David Cottin-trained six-year-old following his win in a similar contest at Prestbury Park in December.

Easysland, who is by Monsun’s son Gentlewave, was consigned by Glebe House Stud to Tattersalls Ireland’s Derby Sale in 2017 when he was sold for €20,000 to Yorton Farm who sent him back to France to be trained by Cottin. He had won four races by the time Maxwell sent his 2016 half-brother to Tattersalls May Sale last year when Noel Meade gave €40,000 for the grey.

“I bought three half-brothers from Mme Avril in France,” related Maxwell. “Easysland was the first and the next one, who is in training with Peter Fahey, was called Fashion Island but Weatherbys wouldn’t allow the name and he’s now Fantasy Island. He’s by Muhtathir, the sire of Envoi Allen. Hopefully he’ll win a point-to-point and be sold.

“The now four-year-old, who was sold to Noel Meade in May, was called Gipsiland but, again, Weatherbys wouldn’t have it and he is now Gipsi Joe. He’s by Montmartre. Their dam, Island du Frene (by Useful), was a very good mare having produced seven winners of 47 races, including two listed winners, from seven runners. They’re all a bit on the small side, but they can all run!”

While Maxwell’s Glebe House Stud was credited in places with consigning one of Tuesday’s winners to Tattersalls Ireland’s 2015 August Sale, this is not the case. The Conditional, who landed the Grade 3 Ultima Handicap Chase for the David Bridgwater yard, was sold by the Co Longford-based Glebe House (Tashinny Stud) whose owner, Jerry Regan, purchased the Kalanisi gelding as a foal, through Eamon Sheehy, from his Co Kerry breeder, Brendan Ferris.