WITH little fear of contradiction, it’s probably fair to say that Tara Hayes’s preparation for the Pat Smullen Charity Race at The Curragh, which takes place this day week, has been unlike that of her fellow participants.

Hayes posted her latest fundraising video to social media from Castle Irvine, Necarne where she recorded three championship successes at the Barron Transport Dressage Ireland Senior National Championships Festival, which ran from last Friday through to Sunday.

Hayes topped the combined percentage scores of British Dressage List 1 judges Maria Eilberg and Debby Lush in the Prix St Georges (69.925) and the Intermediate I (69.265) championships on board Imperioso WW. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Charmeur, who also won the Prix St Georges/Inter I Freestyle (71.25), is out of the Gribaldi mare Penny Lane, a half-sister to another Small Tour performer in the Krack C stallion Tuschinski.

Imperioso WW was previously ridden here by Sean Burgess who, on occasion, competed him in Britain where he was first produced by Amy Woodhead. Towards the end of 2024, the bay’s owner, Anita Kelly, moved him to England for her daughter, Irish Under-25 International Lilly Kelly to compete. Hayes got the ride on the gelding at the start of the year.

Showing how strong a hand she holds at these levels, and her family’s connection with racing, Hayes finished second in both championships at Necarne with her mother Fiona’s Irish Sport Horse mare Sandora BS, scoring 68.085 in the Prix St Georges and 69.12 in the Intermediate I.

While the William Hayes-bred 10-year-old bay is by the Westphalian stallion Spielberg, she is out of unraced thoroughbred mare Silver Grouse, a 2012 daughter of Zagreb, who is dam also of two track winners in Outrath (by Captain Rio) and Realta Dawn (by Craigsteel).

This is the family of Silver Birch, whose career was highlighted by his win in the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree where, in November, both Sandora BS and Imperioso WW are due to compete having first paid a visit to Wellington.