Aileen and Oscar stepping out to impress in ‘Jerusalema’ challenge

WITH over four million hits to date, An Garda Siochána’s ‘Jerusalema’ dance challenge is a massive online hit. Thanks to the Mounted Unit’s Sgt. Brendan Duffy, the two Galway-bred horses have been identified as Aileen and Oscar, paired up in the viral video with Garda Peter King and Richard Cullen.

Aileen, by Cappa Cochise, was bred in Carnmore by the late Christy Grealish, and Oscar was bred by Martin Donnellan who also owns the side-stepping grey’s sire Carrickrock Close Shave.

“It gave me such a lift to see the horses in the video, especially my dad’s breed!” Christy’s daughter Kay Grealish told The Irish Field. “My dad passed away suddenly in 2007, horses were his passion, especially the Draughts. He would have have been so proud to see the video.”

According to Kay, Christy thought a lot of Cappa Cochise. “He really loved his conformation and brought the first mare to him. Direen Lady, the dam of Aileen, was a big favourite, as was her dam Airport Rose, who bred the stallion Connacht Grey. He was standing in Essex and covered the Queen’s mares. Two of his progeny took part in royal weddings and I’m told Aileen was also on duty for the Papal visit.

“It’s fantastic that Dad’s breeds are still around. It really gave me a great lift, especially in lockdown and these strange times we’re living in.”

Cappa Cochise is one of several Irish Draught stallions at Jimmy and Edel Quinn’s Cappa Stud in Annaghdown. “Cochise is doing great. He is our first stallion so will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Edel said about their Fast Silver flagbearer, bred by Aoife O’Regan. “He was always the bridesmaid [at Dublin] but to us, and the stallions here, he is still Top Gun!”

Many of the thorougbreds, Irish Draughts and sport horses bred in Ballygill by Martin Donnellan all bear the townland prefix. One exception was the Nicky Henderson-trained Call The Cops, whose win at Cheltenham six years ago earned the Ballinasloe breeder an ITBA Western Region award. “I’m absolutely thrilled about the video. A little publicity goes a long way and this was a lot! The guards were super and Brendan Duffy, who came down to the yard several times, is a gentleman. And two Ballinasloe connections because Jimmy [Quinn] is a native too!” Martin said.

Carrickrock Close Shave was bred by Viona Coulter and is by Foxglen Himself out of the prolific Millhollow Lady. “I love the horse and all his offspring,” added his owner who has 11 mares in foal to the 20-year-old stallion. “We’re just covering our own mares and for regular customers. I’ve repeat customers in Scotland, England and all over the world. Everyone who buys them loves them, they’ve a great temperament.

“I bought Ballygill View from Leslie Wakefield, who bred her out of a Kingsway Diamond mare and then covered her with Bonnie Prince to get Ballygill Beauty, the dam of Oscar. Brexit is going to affect trade. The UK buyers can’t travel and there’s a lot of uncertainty about shipping horses. Still, it’s awful easy to sell Irish Draughts now.”