Irish-bred success at Badminton:
Cooley Rosalent
Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)
Sire: Valent
Sire of Dam: Roselier
Owners: Paul and Diana Ridgeon
Breeder: J W Rosbotham
Result: 2nd on 26.3
Colorado Blue
Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL)
Sire: Jaguar Mail
Sire of Dam: Rock King
Owners: The Salty Syndicate
Breeder: Kate Jarvey
Result: 3rd on 31.2
Cavalier Crystal
Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)
Sire: Jack Of Diamonds
Sire of Dam: Cavalier Royale
Owners: Peter and Charlotte Opperman
Breeder: Thomas Horgan
Result: 4th on 33.8
Master Point
Rider: Ian Cassells (IRL)
Sire: Pointilliste
Sire of Dam: Kings Master
Owners: Brian and Bridget McGing and Rider
Breeder: Bridget McGing
Result: 13th on 48.7
Ardeo Premier
Rider: Alexander Bragg (GBR)
Sire: Hold Up Premier
Sire of Dam: Cruising
Owners: Neill and Debbie Nuttall
Result: 16th on 52 Penalties
Heartbreaker Star Quality
Rider: Libby Seed (GBR)
Sire: Boswell Mr Heart Breaker
Sire of Dam: OBOS Quality 004
Owners: Jonathon and Lesley Seed
Breeder: Cora Horan
Result: 18th on 57.2
Black Ice
Rider: Jérôme Robiné (GER)
Sire: Vechta
Sire of Dam: Touchdown
Owner: Dorothea Von Zedtwitz
Breeder: Judith McClelland
Result: 20th on 54
Ballycoog Breaker Boy
Rider: Will Rawlin (GBR)
Sire: Womanizer
Sire of Dam: Bonnie Prince
Owners: Andrew and Miranda Rawlin and Rider
Breeder: Louise Godkin
Result: 23rd on 58.6
Clever Trick
Rider: Susie Berry (IRL)
Sire: Financial Reward
Sire of Dam: Bonnie Prince
Owners: Sue Wilkinson, Anne Marling and Rider
Breeder: Vincent Cousins
Result: 29th on 64.9
Creevagh Silver De Haar
Rider: Fiona Kashel (GBR)
Sire: Camiro de Haar Z
Sire of Dam: Golden River
Owner: Rider
Breeder: Kathryn Jackson
Result: 35th on 78.4
Rehy Revelation
Rider: Jack Pinkney (GBR)
Sire: Ars Vivendi
Sire of Dam: Harlequin Du Carel
Owners: Simon and Margaret Hope
Breeder: Matty Bourke
Result: 38th on 83.9
Ballyneety Rocketman
Rider: Sam Watson (IRL)
Sire: Diamond Discovery
Sire of Dam: Errigal Flight
Owner: Hannah Watson
Breeder: James Hickey
Result: 40th on 85.7
Deerpairc Revelry
Rider: Max Warburton (GBR)
Sire: Hermes De Reve
Sire of Dam: Cento
Owner: Paske Syndicate
Breeder: Dara O’Malley
Result: 45th on 92.1
Dassett Select
Rider: Kate Rocher-Smith
Sire: Caricello
Sire of Dam: Hemmingway
Owners: Philip and Lesley Rocher, Patricia Marshall
Breeder: Knightfield Stud
Result: 48th on 99.9
Grantstown Jackson
Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)
Sire: Clover Brigade
Sire of Dam: Right Win
Owners: Peter Cole and Susanna Francke
Breeder: Caroline Widger
Result: 53rd on 130.4
What they said
“There were a couple of places where Ballaghmor Class wasn’t too impressed with the size of the fence – if he sees a fence he doesn’t think is big enough, he can get out of my hands, but the old-fashioned fences he respects and his galloping is fantastic. Looking back, I think I enjoyed every minute! And, fair dos to Badminton, as the organisers must have been under pressure with the lack of rain but the ground is very consistent and they couldn’t have done more. And it’s great to be back here in the sunshine!” - Oliver Townend
“I had a really nice ride on Belline Fighting Spirit. It was frustrating to have a 20 penalties [at fence 12] – he jumped too far off the steps and showed his greenness, but it was 50% my fault. He will gain a lot from this.” - Joseph Murphy
“Black Ice (ISH) is just a perfect cross-country horse, it was amazing. It’s quite long round here and you have time to think about everything. Everything was on Plan A; he hesitated at the top of the stairs – he does that at drops, and the lake was good for me as he always lands quite early so good for the short four strides.” - Jérôme Robiné
“It has been a dream Badminton debut. Rehy DJ (ISH, withdrawn after XC) – aka ‘Piglet’ – was incredible. He grew in confidence. It was a really strong track and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I went around the tree at Huntsman’s Close as he was a little tired near the end and I wanted him to have time to see the question.” - Yasmin Ingham
“Colorado Blue – ‘Salty’ – is in the form of his life and he is all heart. He’s more mature now and I am lucky to have him. There has been a lot of rubbish talked – which I didn’t listen to – about the course being softer, but Eric Winter is a damn good designer. It’s all a lot easier on a horse like this.” - Austin O’Connor
“He (Grantstown Jackson ISH) was more settled than last year. Last year he got very rattled and unfortunately we had five down so we changed up a few things with him, and I couldn’t be happier. One down, I always forgive one, one’s a mistake, so I’m really pleased - he had a lovely round in there.” - Sarah Ennis
“I am really happy with my horse (Master Point ISH). He is a blood horse with a big stride. He can get a bit hollow in the combinations and I need to be aware of that, so we played him straight and honest and let him see the fences. It’s my first Badminton and I am really happy – it’s a show like nothing else. I hadn’t even walked the course before and it’s above and beyond what people say.” - Ian Cassells
“As far as I am concerned, there was no incident. My foot took the flag out but Cooley Rosalent (ISH) jumped the fence. It’s been a good day. I couldn’t be prouder of both horses who are from different ends of the spectrum in experience.” - Oliver Townend on being given a flag penalty at fence 26 which was later removed
Irish podium finishes at Badminton
2025 - 3rd
Horse: Colorado Blue
Rider: Austin O’Connor
2024 -2nd
Horse: RCA Patron Saint
Rider: Lucy Latta
2023 - 3rd
Horse: Colorado Blue
Rider: Austin O’Connor
1983 - 3rd
Horse: Amoy
Rider: Jessica Harrington