THOROUGHBREDS hold a special place in the ‘Land of the Horse’ and the Croker Cup class for thoroughbred stallions is one of the most iconic classes in Dublin Horse Show history.

That said, the class has struggled with entries numbers in recent years, however a number of confirmed sporting owners have once again ensured the 2025 class goes ahead. This year’s Croker Cup championship is sponsored by DAFM and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland.

Any previous champions in this year’s line-up? Yes, Julie Radden’s 2023 champion Galileo Dance, a Canadian-bred by Galileo, throws down his bid for a second win.

While last year’s champion - Drumhowan Stud’s Lucarelli - is a non-runner, they are good supporters of this class and Eamon McArdle sends up Rosier, foaled in Italy and is by another Epsom Derby winner: High Chapparal.

The European theme continues as Thomas Moloney’s Kopperfield (Mamool) was bred in Germany and another to return to Ring 1 is Kieran O’Gorman’s Munther (Lawman).

Also believed to be making the long trek from West Cork is Paddy McCarthy’s Alhebayeb (Dark Angel).

Format

The same format, as in recent years, applies of one stallion selected from the line-up to receive the magnificent Croker Cup.

This year’s judges are Jonathan Mills and Tim Wiggett and the first glimpse of this year’s Croker Cup hopefuls will take place in Ring 1 on Friday, immediately after The Irish Field Breeders’ Championship. The class is then judged the following afternoon, also in Ring 1, at 3.10pm.

And while not directly connected with this year’s entries, an appropriate time to offer congratulations to newlyweds Darragh and Niamh Glynn, who met at Dublin Horse Show 10 years ago. That was the year when Niamh showed her father John Varley’s Elusive Emir to win the Croker Cup and by all accounts, there were as many happy tears shed by the proud dad on their wedding day as the Croker Cup win.