MONAGHAN breeder Gladys McArdle was born into horses, and home was originally a farm in Ballybay, Co Monaghan.

“Stallions and the stud business have always been part of my life, and in my childhood, it was typically a mix of Irish Draught, thoroughbred “country” stallions, as they were called then, and half-bred stallions,” she says.

“Hasty Thanks was the first thoroughtbred stallion to arrive in 1969, just as the last Clydesdale stood in the yard.”

Gladys is renowned for her calm and competent management of stallions, a skill she attributes to her early life.

“Breeding back then was all by natural covering, and this is where I learned to be wide awake, dealing with all types of mares from looking after them every day to teasing them right through to their coverings.

“It was not simple, but I certainly got the best education both working with mares and people too of course. Then at 18 years old I had to sink or swim following the death of my dad.”

Moving forward

Drumhowan as it is today began to take shape in 2002, when Gladys started developing a purpose-built stud farm outside Castleblayney, still in her native Monaghan. The stud is only 30 minutes from several border crossings, and Gladys observes that “we’re fortunate following Brexit that the border is an open one.” Of her team, she says: “My husband Eamon is the gaffer here nowadays. He’s well-known from his dealing days, and his sharp, knowledgeable eye, wit and straight-talking style is like marmite, but that’s Eamon! You can’t beat experience.”

“We are very lucky to have a super enthusiastic and supportive team of help. Stephen and Catherina are well known here at the stud and at foal sales. We take on extra help now in April for the breeding season. They are all knowledgeable horse people – this is very important, as the care of the mares and foals while at our stud is regarded as exemplary by customers.”

A delighted Gladys McArdle with Lucarelli, shown by Sam McCormack, after he won the Croker Cup for Drumhowan Stud in 2024 \ Susan Finnerty

With the purchase of the legendary sire Ramiro B, whose progeny include Oliver Townend’s Kentucky five-star winner Cooley Master Class as well as Nick Skelton’s Heracross, in 2008 the stud moved forward to navigate artificial insemination. Gladys notes that although she was not among the first to embrace this development, “I am now adamant that I would not return to natural breeding. Handling big numbers of mares by AI is still hard work and physically demanding, but it is much safer than natural breeding, particularly considering a few mares are still quite feral. Nowadays being tuned in to the stallions on the stud is crucial, and it’s something I enjoy. Around 15 stallions have semen collections made in the peak of the season, and their characters, individualities and whims never cease to amaze us.

“The availability throughout Ireland of foreign imported semen offers added choice for breeders. That’s grand! For sure its competition for Irish stud farms, but that’s the open market. There’s plenty for all and we will be here when those breeders and vets want quality fresh semen for a successful breeding – we see this year on year.

“Experts in the business we hold in high regard include Helen and Phillip Troughton of Ballinteggart Stud in Co.Armagh. Their knowledge in handling fresh, chilled and frozen semen and stallions is second to none, and they continue to be part of our team during the breeding season.”

Fashion dictates

When she reflects on how the industry has evolved throughout her career, Gladys says “businesses evolve, markets change and fashion dictates. We used to own the stallions, but not so much nowadays. The first Irish stallion leased by us was Golden River (Riverbank x Young Golden) from Dr. Jack Murphy. We remained great friends with Dr. Jack until his recent untimely passing.”

“Then the Grand Prix show jumping stallion Jacomar (Ramiro Z x Lucky Boy) was our first encounter with the Van De Lageweg family in 2002. Our dealings with VDL Stud continue successfully to this day. Since beginning new business collaborations, we have worked hard to develop the stallion roster into one now offering a top selection of warmblood, performance and RID stallions.”

“I have not yet grasped the ‘grá’ to become an Irish agent for chilled or frozen semen, despite the continuous offers of many European Studs to represent them. I guess I still love the ‘live’ stallion too much. We now stand stallions who 10 years ago would have been a pipe-dream to manage! Interestingly these collaborations are all entirely made on trust and reputation. Drumhowan Stud has yet to have its own website, or a presence on Facebook or social media, yet our partners include Axel Verlooy Euro Horse in Belgium, VDL Stud, The Stallion Company, Stoeterij Black Horses in Holland, Ballywalter Farms, Gaudiano Sport Horses from Italy, Stal Retto in Holland, De Azevedo based in Brazil and America, and many private owners in Europe, as well as Ireland’s Irish Draught stallion owners.”

My Way, ridden here by Luiz Francisco De Azevedo, now stands at Drumhowan Stud \ Sportfot

The world famous Zangersheide stud farm has been added to this list for 2026, as their stallion Count On Me Z (Comilfo Plus Z x Carthago) will stand in Drumhowan. “He arrived recently, and he’s a beautiful blood stallion with a modern and attractive pedigree. He will be bred to several of our mares owned by the stud here. It’s always been our principle to breed our own mares to the stallion’s resident at our stud.”

Alongside the stallion business, there are around 15 broodmares resident at Drumhowan, and their progeny are sold at Goresbridge, Cavan, Barnadown and Glenamaddy Sales.

“Last year, in a tough trade, we actually had one of our better years. As I left Glenamaddy Sales, I was approached by a gentleman who exclaimed “ Oh, it’s you again, the last place I saw you was in Cavan a few weeks ago. You sold a black RID colt foal, you got €6,100 for him, and your filly foal topped today’s sale at €10,600, you’ve had a good year, well done!”. I guess these are the foals we aspire to breed and the sales we hope to achieve. For sure they don’t happen every day, but we appreciate them when they do.”

Do it well

“’Do what you do, do well’ continues to be our constant motto for all of us at Drumhowan Stud. For 2026, the stallion roster represents our enduring commitment to building on a reputation of quality stallions and selection for breeders.

“As well as the new Zangersheide stallion Count On Me Z, we have Caracas (Casall ASK x Colman), My Way (Mylord Carthago x Cassini I), Fernando (For Pleasure x Corrado I), Zapatero VDL (Chin Chin x Ircorlando, who recently became a dual five-star stallion with the ISH studbook), Cascari (Cassinin I x Carpaccio) and Colandro (Contendro I x Colando I).”

“We have two new Irish Draught stallions for 2026 as well. They are Ann Lambert’s Ashfield Bouncer (Killinick Bouncer x Ard Grandpa) and Castlegar Stud’s Castlegar Cool Fin (Castlegar Fin Grove x All The Diamonds). They join the other Draughts, WGS Irish Rajah, Heigh Ho Dubh and Dunsandle Diamond. Then the thoroughbred stallions Rosier (High Chaparral x Dowsing) and the RDS Croker Cup winner Lucarelli (High Chaparral x Acatenango) complete the line-up.”

“Foals have started to arrive and stallions are primed and ready for a busy covering season. With the new year comes new life, new hope and great expectations. We will continue to be guided by our commitment to the success of our stallions, our breeders and the business we all know and do with a great deal of pride and gratitude.”

Fernando enjoyed a long and successful career at five-star level worldwide with Dutch rider Johnny Pals before standing at Drumhowan Stud \ Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans