BETTER known as breeders of sport horses under their ‘Graf’ banner, Brian and Shirley Livingstone dabbled briefly in the thoroughbred world and last Sunday had the immense satisfaction of seeing one of their stock, Some Plan, win a Grade 1 race at Leopardstown.

Four horses started in the Arkle Novice Chase but only the David Russell-partnered Some Plan was still standing at the finish, two of his rivals having unseated early, while Royal Caviar, who was a length up at the time, fell at the final fence. “We watched the race on television and, while it would have been a better finish if the other fellow had stood up, it’s all about jumping,” said Banbridge-based Brian. “The horse is now a Grade 1 winner and no one can take that from him.

“When the breeding game was going well, we bought two thoroughbred mares at the 2006 National Hunt Sale in Tattersalls, Some Plan’s dam Lough Hyne (by Classic Cliche) and the Desert Story mare Story Nine. Unfortunately, the whole thing then crashed and it was hard to sell horses, particularly fillies. We bred two other thoroughbreds out of Lough Hyne, Aine Saor (a 2007 filly by Oscar) who she was carrying when we bought her, and Classic Graf.”

A 2009 Winged Love full-brother to Some Plan, Classic Graf was purchased as a two-year-old by Peter Laidlaw. That Scottish international event rider also acquired Lough Hyne’s three sport horse produce, Graf Mirage (2010 colt by Mermus R), Graf Portia (2011 filly by Porsch) and Graf Crusoe (2012 colt by Ringfort Cruise). Lough Hyne is now in the ownership of young event horse producer Neill McCluskey.

The Livingstones have cut back completely on breeding and Brian now enjoys pleasure driving. Last year, he imported a smashing Tuigpaard (Dutch harness horse) gelding who he drives to a German-made road carriage. He is receiving tips from his international driving neighbour Sara Clinghan.

Some Plan began his career with Downpatrick trainer Brian Hamilton. He finished second first time out in a bumper at Down Royal’s Boxing Day meeting in 2013 after which he was sold at Cheltenham for £40,000 to Roger Brookhouse, who had him in training in England but, over the summer, transferred him to Waterford’s Henry de Bromhead, who saddled him on Saturday.

Three days earlier, owner and trainer combined to win the historic Thyestes Chase with Champagne West. This Westerner nine-year-old is out of the unraced Mister Lord mare Wyndham Sweetmarie so, unsurprisingly, was bred by well-known pony producer Peter Byrne. Champagne West made all the running in the hands of David Mullins, a nephew of show jumper Marion Hughes.