THIS year’s Irish Draught stallion class is the stage for a rematch between several former champions. Plus, a couple of graduates from the HSI inspections in March are likely to be amongst the entries.

Sean Barker’s veteran Gortfree Hero (Castana), a former triple champion, is back, as is last year’s overall champion - Pat Hoare’s Moylough Supremacy (Carrabawn Cross) and his full-brother Moylough Legacy, owned too by Hoare.

A third previous winner (2023) in Grace Maxwell Murphy’s Edenagor Star (Dunsandle Diamond) also returns, as will his sire, owned by Matt Loughnane. Another sire-son combination is seen in Gortfree Hero and Gortfree Lakeside Lad, (also owned by Barker), a previous Irish Draught performance and working hunter champion in Ring 2.

Liam Lynskey’s DS Ballagh Bouncer (Moylough Bouncer) will shuttle between both rings, having also qualified for this year’s performance championship.

Several other well-placed prize winners, such as John Bracken’s Scrapboy (Scrapman), Tommy McMahon’s Ludden Skywalker (Luke Skywalker) are back, then there’s the new Class 1 stallion duo of John Niland’s Rhynne Blackie Go Lucky (Touch Of the Emperor) and Gabriel Slattery Jnr’s Fuerty Welcome Lad (Gortfree Lakeside Lad) who are understood to be making a trip to Ballsbridge.

The Irish Draught stallion championship is divided into two sections for Friday’s judging with the first half scheduled for 1.40pm, immediately after the parade of thoroughbred stallions.

“Draught Day” attendees on Thursday have their opportunity to preview the final entries when Irish Draught stallions are on parade that afternoon.

Julie Cornthwaite and Claire Oliver complete their Irish Draught judging duties with the stallion championship.

The selection of two cross-channel judges is a sensible one with the UK being the greatest market for Irish Draught horses and, while previous continental judges were undoubtedly experts in their fields, the news of a British duo this year was widely welcomed by Draught enthusiasts.