PATRICK Wafer’s landmark weekend got off to a flying start when he won what was regarded as one of the strongest All Ireland Broodmare and Foal Team Championship finals of recent years at Iverk show last Saturday.

Judges Philip Scott and Philip Copithorne said: “A number of combinations were equally good. But there has to be a winner and we chose Parkmore Evita and her foal by Robin De La Maison,” said Scott.

The show’s decision to revert back to the traditional method of qualifiers proved a wise move as the committee felt that the All Ireland Broodmare and Foal Team Championship had suffered from being a direct entry class in recent years. Sponsored by Investec Wealth and Investment for the first time, the 13 mares and foals on display looked a picture.

Bred by Patrick himself, the winner is by the thoroughbred stallion Ghareeb out of Parkmore Sunrise, who is by Robert Splaine’s former Grand Prix and Nations Cup horse, Coolcorron Cool Diamond. Her filly foal, who would enjoy her own individual success at Moate the following day, is by the late thoroughbred stallion Robin De La Maison and the combination qualified at Bannow and Rathangan.

In reserve was the Galway County qualifier representative Kilkeaney Mystic, owned by Clare’s Stephen Culliney. His mare is bred on identical lines to Wafer’s as both are by Jay Bowe’s stalwart Ghareeb out of Coolcorron Cool Diamond dams. Her filly foal by Kings Master impressed many spectators. John Roche’s homebred Assagart Sapphire, by Flagmount King and her filly foal by Coroner took the yellow rosette home to Wexford, with Roche also winning the young horse championship with his two-year-old filly Assagart Velvet, by Colin Diamond.

Kieran Fahey travelled from Cork with Madam Noir, his Coote Cup reserve champion broodmare at Dublin, and her Barely A Moment colt to take fourth place.