“I AM a big supporter of Irish-bred horses in the eventing world and long may their success continue,” said British world number one event rider Oliver Townend.

In what was a remarkable achievement, Townend piloted Ballaghmor Class, Dreamliner and Cooley Master Class this season – the leading points progeny of three WBFSH top-20 eventing sires: Courage II (fifth), Jumbo (12th) and Ramiro B (equal 19th).

Ballaghmor Class, known as ‘Thomas’ at home, is also the highest-ranked Irish Sport Horse in this year’s rankings, leading home the studbook award too.

“He is not always easy but he is one of the all-time greatest horses that I have ever had the pleasure of riding,” Townend told The Irish Field.

“He has been so consistent and has already achieved more than most horses would ever do in a lifetime 10 times over,” he said about the grey, bred by the late Limerick man Noel Hickey.

“We put in place very long-term programmes for Thomas, to help him develop his talent mentally and physically, which will continue as there is so much more to come, because he deserves many more top results to his name, that I will do my utmost to help him accomplish.”

Cooley Master Class

Townend and the John Hagan-bred Cooley Master Class won the eventing world’s first five-star event at Kentucky this year. “Any five-star win is a special win, but it is fantastic for this horse in particular because we have had him from so early on and we know him so well.

“He hasn’t been easy to manage but his owner Angela Hislop has been patient and has always listened to what I said should be his plan on where, when and how to run, so it’s fantastic for them to then be rewarded with top results.

“And his back-to-back Kentucky wins is nothing but an exceptional advertisement for Irish horses,” added their unofficial ambassador.

Top class

Are this pair in a different class to others he has produced?

“I have been lucky enough to have had a lot of top-class horses in my stables and although these two are very special, there have been quite a few that I think were more talented than Cooley and Thomas.

“Unfortunately reality has dominated and the option of selling has either not always been my choice due to life and bills; the difference with these ones is their owners had different goals, which have given me the time and opportunity to get them to the top and trusted completely in my production and management,” noted the Yorkshireman, who bought another of Ramiro B’s offspring, MBF Ramiro, at the recent Goresbridge Go For Gold sale for the top price of €41,000.