THE prestigious four-star Rolex Kentucky three-day event last year produced an Irish-bred winner in the Wexford-born Irish Sport Horse Bay My Hero carried Britain’s William Fox-Pitt to victory.

Also featuring in the top 10 last year were the Irish Sport Horses Ballynoe Castle RM, ridden by USA’s Bruce Davidson Jnr, and Trading Aces (ISH), under Phillip Dutton (USA).

Bred by Bryan Maguire, the2014 champion Bay My Hero has returned to Rolex Kentucky this next week to try to retain his crown. The competition began on Thursday, April 23rd and continues until tomorrow, Sunday, April 25th.

Sired by the now deceased Thoroughbred Cult Hero, Bay My Hero is out of the prolific mare Bing Power, by Tomgar Power Crest, who is still an active part of the Maguire’s breeding programme.

As noted in The Irish Field last week, Zara Phillips rides her Olympic and World Equestrian Games mount High Kingdom (ISH), while Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH) are having another crack at it for Bruce Davidson Jnr. They are joined by the 2014 Blenheim CCI*** winner Easy Target, ridden by Francis Whittington.

Michael Doherty of Irish Horse Gateway has been examining the Rolex entries to find out what Irish-breds are competing at the showcase event and here is his roll call.

Irish-bred horses at Rolex Kentucky CCI****

1. Annie Clover (ISH)– 2004 mare by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Kilderry Clover (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: James Bradley, Co. Cork. Owner: Marry & Barry Tweddle. Rider: Nicola Wilson (GBR)

2. Balham Houdini (ISH)– 2004 gelding by Warrenstown You 2 (ISH) out of Mimi (ISH), by Hallo (SF). Breeder: Ronan Tynan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Austin O’Connor & Kate Jarvey. Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL)

3. Ballylaffin Bracken (ISH)– 2000 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Ballylaffin Florence (WNTR), by Farhaan (TB). Breeder: Catherine Long, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Kristin Bill & Janet Schmolze. Rider: Kristin Schmolze (USA)

4. Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH)– 2000 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballyvaldon Natalie (ISH), by Blue Laser (TB). Breeder: Sylvester Cullen, Co. Wexford. Owner: Cassandra Segal. Rider: Buck Davidson (USA)

5. Bay My Hero (ISH) (TIH)– 2003 gelding by Cult Hero (TB) out of Bing Power (ISH), by Tomgar Power Crest (ISH). Breeder: Bryan Maguire, Co. Wexford. Owner: Catherine Witt. Rider: William Fox-Pitt (GBR)

6. Cambalda (ISH)– 2002 gelding by Balda Beau (WNTR) out of Cathys Lady (ISH), by Diamond Serpent (ISH). Breeder: John Irish, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Nina Gardner. Rider: Jennie Brannigan (USA)

7. Cavallino Cocktail (ISH)– 2002 mare by Ekstein (KWPN) out of Tims Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ralph Conroy, Co. Galway. Owner/Rider: Zachary Brandt (USA)

8. Easy Target (ISH)– 2001 gelding by The Artist (BSPA) out of Lady King (ISH), by King Henry (ID). Breeder: John Conheeney, Co. Galway. Owner: Catherine Witt. Rider: Francis Whittington (GBR)

9. Fernhill By Night (ISH)– 2003 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Argentina XII (OLD), by Argentinus (HANN). Breeder: Etter Sportpferde AG, Co. Offaly. Owner: Deborah Halliday. Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA)

10. Fernhill Flutter (ISH) (TIH)– 2002 gelding by Puissance (ISH) out of Warrior Queen (ISH), by Euphemism (TB). Breeder: Samuel J Smyth, Co. Antrim. Owner/Rider: Kevin Keane (USA)

11. Fernhill Fugitive (ISH)– 2005 gelding by Lux Z (HANN) out of Barnadown Ramiro (ISH), by Ramiro B (BWP). Breeder: Maurice Cousins, Co. Wexford. Owner: Thomas Tierney & Ann Jones. Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)

12. High Kingdom (ISH) (TIH)– 2001 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of High Dolly (ISH), by Chair Lift (TB). Breeder: William Micklem, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Gleadhill Stud Ltd. & Trevor Hemmings. Rider: Zara Phillips (GBR)

13. Improvise (ISH) (TIH)– 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Diamond Wood (ISH), by Marwood (TB). Breeder: Anastasia Lawlor, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Ali Butler, Elisabeth Murdoch & Jenny Levett. Rider: William Levett (AUS)

14. Luckaun Quality (ISH)– 2005 gelding by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Colwyn Bay (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Ronan Sheehan, Co. Laois. Owner/Rider: Tim Bourke (IRL)

15. Master Frisky (ISH) (TIH)– 2004 gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Frisky Legs (ISH), by Coopers Hill (ID). Breeder: Sean Power, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Stephen Blauner. Rider: Boyd Martin (USA)

16. Mighty Nice (ISH)– 2004 gelding by Ard Ohio (KWPN) out of Sarazen (ISH). Breeder: William Kells, Co. Cavan. Owner: Evie Dutton. Rider: Phillip Dutton (USA)

17. OBOS O’Reilly (ISH)– 2003 gelding by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Omard Clover Queen (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Brian O’Reilly, Co. Cavan. Owner: Four Star Eventing Group. Rider: William Coleman (USA).

18. Andromaque (TB) – 2001 mare by Anshan (TB) out of Gortnagale (TB), by Strong Gale (TB). Breeder: Patrick Hennessy. Owner:Jennifer Mosing & Sterling Silver Stables. Rider: Will Faudree (USA)