I’M from Coolfin, Banagher in Co Offaly and I work for Grant Engineering, Birr (Grant Boilers) in the sales department.

Horses have been a lifelong interest and hobby of mine. Irish Draughts are my main interest and, as well as Coolfin Gentleman, I also keep a sport horse stallion, Coolfin Dynamite, who is a 16.1hh palomino.

1. Congratulations, you bred and own Coolfin Gentleman, another Class 1 Irish Draught stallion approved at Cavan and one of the first Class 1 palomino stallions in the Irish Draught studbook. Tell us more about him.

Gentleman is a dream come true. Palomino is a colour I have followed in Irish Draughts for the past 20 years. It all began when I saw two palomino Irish Draught mares approximately 25 years ago. They were owned by Annette Rohan from Balcormo Stud. The two mares were mother and daughter - Cool Blonde and Balcormo Dancer - two stunning mares.

Balcormo Dancer bred a beautiful palomino stallion called Balcormo Sirocco. I used this stallion to start my journey with palomino Draughts and bought Hosey, a chesnut Clonleigh Dancer mare, and crossed her with Balcormo Sirocco.

She had a beautiful palomino filly foal the following year and this foal became my foundation mare: Coolfin Blondie.

This mare graded as a Class 1 and I bred her to Tors Gentleman Farmer, who needs no introduction, and she produced another palomino filly foal. It was third time lucky that I got the palomino colt I was looking for: Coolfin Gentleman.

Coolfin is my prefix and Gentleman came from his sire’s name, proving to be a perfect name for this stallion – he is not only a gentleman by name but also by nature.

2. Proudest breeder moment?

Coolfin Gentleman has to be the proudest breeder moment for me on the day he crossed the line in Cavan and was graded Class 1. It was a very proud moment for me to have bred him and his mother.

I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the way - my friends and family. I won’t mention names as I will surely forget someone, but you all know who you are. And a massive thank you to Liam Lynskey and his team for preparing Gentleman for the Cavan inspections. I want to acknowledge his hard work and professionalism.

The way Gentleman was presented on the day was an absolute credit to them and I couldn’t have been prouder to see Gentleman walk out as a Class 1 Draught stallion.

Tommy Butler, breeder of Coolfin Gentleman \ Tadhg Ryan Bit-Media

3. Your Irish Draught template?

My template is to remain as close to the older type of Draught standard as possible, especially for a broodmare. I continue to follow the palomino colour while still maintaining quality and standards.

My aim is to breed eye-catching, well-bred quality horses that will excel in several disciplines.

What I look for in an Irish Draught is temperament, that’s most important; then conformation and movement, a nice head and kind eye, good bone and the ability and presence to show themselves.

4. What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Irish Draught breeders?

5. Coolfin is yours, thoughts on prefixes?

I agree with prefixes – it gives the horse a match to its place of origin; gives identity to the breeder and in turn, traceability for customers who are interested in the breed.

People trace pedigrees and keep an eye on what lines are doing well – so a prefix will give the horse traceability and, in turn, recognition to the breeder.

6. Internet – a good or bad servant?

The internet is a good servant – everything you need to know is at the press of a button. If you need to look up or trace pedigrees, they are all there to be found.

It can also be used to locate sales, shows and events or to view animals and their progeny.

7. If you could have bred any horse?

Clover Hill is the horse that stands out for me. He left a legacy behind him. Clover Hill bred many top show jumpers and his name is still mentioned in the back breeding of so many pedigrees today, from Draughts to sport horses.

So many people still talk of Philip Heenan and the stallions he had and stories of their visits to his yard all those years ago, where Clover Hill stood. He was a legend.

8. It takes a team. Who’s on yours?

It’s true what they say: ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’. Without mentioning names, I am very fortunate to have a great family and great friends, who do an awful lot for me all the time. Without them, it wouldn’t work.

From helping around the yard – feeding, mucking out and general everyday duties are so much easier when you have help to keep on top of things. Also, to have friends to call when problems arise, to ask a question, to ask for help and also your vets, farrier, dentist etc.

You build up your own team over the years of like-minded people who enjoy working with horses - a huge thank you to everybody who helped along the way to Gentleman’s success.

9. Breeding Irish Draughts – would you do it all over again?

Yes 100%, it’s been a great journey and hobby for me. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I look forward every year to seeing the new progeny - did I make the right choices, did I get the results I was looking for? When they are alive and healthy, that is the most important thing. And watching them grow into that horse you want is the next thing.

10. Is showing good for the Irish Draught breed?

Yes, I think showing is good for the breed. We can all look at our horse at home and think they are very good, but it’s not until they are against others of the same breed in a showring that we realise their standard and quality.

It will also let us see what is required from the breed to win a class, and it will help us judge our own horses and let us know what we may need to improve on. But remember, if you don’t bring home a red rosette, don’t lose heart – the next day out will be a better one.