FROM Monaghan in 2024 to West Cork, the Croker Cup awarded to the thoroughbred stallion champion goes on a virtual Discover Ireland tour each year.

It was the Meelin Stud sire Alhebayeb, shown by Patrick (Paddy) McCarthy that was called forward on Saturday afternoon as the winner from the line-up of expectant handlers.

The only grey in the field stood out from a pack of four bays, including Julie Radden’s 2023 Croker Cup champion Galileo Dance, Drumhowan Stud’s Rosier, Thomas Maloney’s Kopperfield and Kieran O’Gorman’s Munther. (Cathal Daniels Montana Gold was a non-runner).

The Croker Cup class, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, was judged by Jonathan Mills and Tim Wiggett. “From a judge’s perspective, we’re all looking for something different. Both of us, unanimously, just loved the walk when he came in, he just rose to the occasion and he just he’s got the presence and temperament.

“He’s got superb conformation and outstanding clean limbs for the age of the horse, in great condition and great movement and freedome. His hindleg goes right up underneath him and he works through the shoulder,” Tim enthused.

Marcella Gaffney, Patrick McCarthy’s partner, congratulates him after Alhebayeb’s win in the Croker Cup \ Susan Finnerty

Complete package

Why would a breeder choose a thoroughbred stallion?

“For somebody looking for a complete package, he is that package. He’s got quality, he’s got the presence, the conformation and he’s got the bone. What more could you want?”

Now a 15-year-old, Alhebayeb was bred at Yeomanstown Stud and was sold for €150,000 as a yearling.

By the Acclamation son Dark Angel, he was a winner of the Group 2 July Stakes as a two-year-old and previously stood at Tara Stud.

Although he has yet a handful of progeny on IHR Online, the attractive grey is starting to produce showring winners from his short time in West Cork, once a stronghold of household name thoroughbred sires of sport horses.

These include Jim Kingston’s filly, a champion at Barryroe, Cork Summer Show and Leap this summer, plus Patrick O’Sullivan’s champion foal at Belgooly.