Susan Finnerty

WITH Iverk taking place the same day as the Limerick Show, broodmare numbers were split between the two shows but there was still a quality field in the main Limerick championships.

Padraig Gleeson won this year’s Limerick Matron title with his Heigh Ho Dubh mare Coolgreen Rose, with last year’s champion Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall Diamond Lady in reserve.

Also in the same Jim Bolger-sponsored traditional section was the foal championships won by Julian O’Halloran’s Chinook Eclipse filly and Rothwell’s Island Commander colt.

The Limerick Lady crown went to John Williams’s Mantlehill Diamond, by Pointilliste, with Ian Murphy’s Ava’s Delight in reserve. Murphy’s pure-bred Draught filly also filled the same position in the All Ireland two-year-old filly final won by Kathleen Cunney’s I Dream Of Ruby. John Roche’s Travelling Solo was the broodmare champion.

Harry Ryan’s The Grey Goose, by Royello, and Darren O’Connor’s Tomgar Solitaire, by Trump Hero, won Sunday’s ridden hunter and working hunter championships.

On the pony front, Alan Duggan’s Golden Grove Sophistication, Alex Cunneen’s Master Columbus and Lorna Twomey’s Uppacott Xotica were the show hunter, working hunter and mini pony champions.

The racehorse to riding class on Sunday was won by Lois Chappell on Glan Tara, ahead of Zoe Shannon on Wall Wise.

Brian Toomey, now fully recovered from his racing injury, was making his debut as riding judge, with Sir Francis Brooke taking care of confirmation. As part of their commitment to retired racehorses and horse welfare, the class was supported by Godolphin Ireland and Tom Gallagher of Kildangan was on hand to present the specially commissioned trophy.