BORN and raised in Kilrush, west Clare, I suppose my love for horses came from my father, Michael Moloney. For as long as I can remember, there has always been a horse at home.

Growing up, my siblings and I loved nothing more than heading off hunting, and much of our time was spent training horses and ponies, before bringing them to places like Spancil Hill and Ballinasloe to sell.

As I moved into my early 20s, I found a particular love for bringing mares and foals, as well as young horses, to local shows. For a small breeder, seeing one of your horses come away with a red rosette is a great moment and something to be proud of.

In more recent years, my wife Megan and I have moved to Kildysart, where we have started our own family. We welcomed our son Odhran in 2024 and this year our daughter Ríadh. Here, we have set up a small yard where we stand our thoroughbred stallion, Kopperfield.

For me, horses have always been a huge part of life - from growing up hunting with my brothers to breeding, showing and now building a small family yard of our own. It is a passion that has been passed down through the generations and one that I hope to continue sharing with my own family.

1. Congratulations - you’ve had a great Dublin as a breeder. Tell us about your champion and prize winners?

We had a great time in Dublin this year, where we had three home-bred horses in the ridden hunter classes.

The small hunter champion Ballarin Beaufort is out of our Draught mare Huntingfield Diamond (Huntingfield Heathcliff) and she is sired by Enda Corry’s Chelis HC Z (ZANG) standing in Cranny, Co Clare.

We brought her to Goresbridge as a foal but were unsuccessful, with no bids. When we got home, a close friend of ours, Frankie O’Neill, bought her coming out of the box and told us that evening that ‘this lady is going to end up winning Dublin some day’.

In the last week of September 2025, Frankie called me to advertise her on Facebook and DoneDeal, and the following day, Nicola Perrin texted me to say she was interested. All credit to Nicola, Robert and their team for producing her to such a high standard in a short time. When you sell horses to the right yard, it really makes the difference.

Ballarin Valentina, winner of the lightweight hunter mare class, is by Lagans OBOS Quality and out of my father’s mare Voltaire Lady, by Lancelot and going back to Shannondale Sarco.

I showed her as a yearling and was successful at my local shows. I decided to bring her to Dublin, my first time bringing a horse there, but unfortunately she wasn’t placed.

I always said I’d keep her as a broodmare, but Nicola texted again to see if I had an idea of any more young horses and, in a split second, I just sent her pictures, which probably was the best decision I made for the filly’s future and success.

I’d like to thank Nicola and Robert Jeffers for the way they turned these two animals out and wish them every success in the future.

Northern Master, placed third in the lightweight gelding hunter class, is by Barely A Moment and out of Kilnamac Katie. A Ricardo Z mare, we bought her from Pat Finn, who is no stranger to showrings and has an array of top-class breeding stock. He placed fourth in a very hot All-Ireland colt foal final at Clarecastle Show. Leila Oakman did an exceptional job turning him out and it was great to see him again.

2. Proudest breeder moment?

I suppose it would have to be Dublin 2026. They say getting a rosette in Dublin is like the lottery, but to have bred three horses that placed in the top three in the same year is something special. I would just like to say thanks again and huge congratulations to Nicola, Robert and Leila. Having people producing horses to the standards they are makes it possible for small breeders like myself to keep the drive going.

Nicola Perrin and the Thomas Moloney-bred Ballarin Beaufort won the Champion Small Hunter on Wednesday \ 1st Class Images

3. You had entered Kopperfield for the Croker Cup, cancelled due to lack of entries. Your view on this thoroughbred stallion class?

The last two years I had entered Kopperfield for the Croker Cup which, to be fair, is an amazing way to showcase your stallion and advertise them to breeders from all over the country.

It has been great to meet with people who have progeny of Kopperfield and see how they are progressing. I was disappointed to hear when the RDS contacted me to say the class was cancelled, due to lack of entries. Like the Breeders’ Championship, I think it’s a class very much missed.

4. Biggest challenge for horse breeders?

Breeding horses isn’t always as simple as it may seem. It takes a huge amount of time, commitment and, of course, finances. From the cost of feed, veterinary care and farrier bills to stud fees, passports and everything else that comes with raising a foal, the expenses quickly add up.

Unless you’re breeding at a serious level with valuable bloodlines and proven pedigrees, it can be very difficult to make a profit and some breeders don’t even break even when they eventually sell their foals.

At the end of the day, I think most of us do it because we genuinely love horses, breeding and seeing that next generation develop.

5. Prefixes - your thoughts?

Personally, I don’t have a prefix at the moment, but we were just talking at home a few weeks ago about getting one. A prefix gives the breeder something to hold onto and allows you to follow the animals you’ve bred throughout their lives, whatever paths they take.

6. Internet - good or bad servant?

It’s definitely my favourite way to advertise and promote a horse. It allows you to follow their progress and stay connected with fellow breeders.

7. That famous horse you’d like to have bred?

I’d have to say Cruising. He was a top stallion and had a huge influence on Irish breeding and show jumping.

8. It takes a team - who’s on yours?

I’m very lucky to have a great team around me, with my family, vet and farrier, but there are three people in particular who make it all possible. Without them, I don’t think half of it would get done! That’s my wife Megan, my father Michael and my niece Rachel.

9. Breeding horses - would you do it all over again?

100% I would do it again. Seeing a foal born, watching them grow and develop, and hopefully seeing them go on to do well makes it all worthwhile.

10. If you won the lotto, what would you buy?

If I won the Lotto, I’d probably buy a few top-class mares, another stallion to stand alongside Kopperfield and have an open tab in the Long Bar!