“IT’S been 60 years since there was an Irish Draught stallion in the parish,” said Ballyvourney owner Sean Scannell, whose Irish Draught stallion Derrynasagurt Silver was awarded Class 1 at the recent Horse Sport Ireland inspections at Cavan.

The three-year-old Fast Silver horse, bred by Michael Healy, was produced for him by his longstanding friend and Mayo horseman, Anthony Gordon from Kincon, near Ballina.

“They’ve been great friends for over 20 years,” said Sean’s son Freddie and their five-hour journey home to West Cork was filled with plans for their newly-approved stallion who will now be broken in and aimed at Irish Draught performance classes next year.

(See pages 86-87).