SALVAGED by six sporting owners, the Croker Cup thoroughbred stallion class and crowd magnet is back on the Dublin schedule again. Four of the seven entries are from the west, including John Varley’s Centennial, a stable companion of the previous Croker Cup champion Elusive Emir (2015), with both standing at his Coolin House Stud.

Two other Galway entries include Tommy McMahon’s Glen Moss, approved at this year’s Horse Sport Ireland inspections at Cavan and based at his Craughwell owner’s Parkroe Stud, plus Road To Happiness, owned by Galway Equine Clinic veterinary surgeon Felim Mac Eoin. Among the mares covered by this stallion in 2019 is Royal China, the dam of WEG team gold horse Quarrycrest Echo and Susan Malee brings Virtual, her new acquisition, from Mayo.

Sean O’Donovan is back from Australia in time to lead his father Jimmy’s Darsi, a horse causing a buzz amongst West Cork breeders since arriving at their Gortnamona Stud in Schull.

Gladys and Eamon McArdle have also rowed in with strong support for this shopwindow by enter-ing Lucarelli and Primary from their Drumhowan Stud base.

Stallions will parade in Ring 1 next Friday, immediately after The Irish Field Breeders Champion-ship (1.40pm), while the Croker Cup class, with one prize-winner selected by John Ferguson and Michael Cook, will take place on Saturday (2.05pm).

Many thanks to RDS Librarian Gerard Whelan for his assistance with this article.