SADLY, Patricia Heffernan’s Irish Sport Horse mare China Doll, who was evented at the highest level by James O’Haire, had to be put down last weekend due to acute colic.

Days earlier, the 15-year-old daughter of Warrenstown You 2 had jumped a double clear to finish second in the EI115 (Open) as the Eventing Ireland season opened at Blackstairs on Saturday, March 20th. Unfortunately, as was the case last season, Patricia was unable to attend the Co Wexford event due to Covid-19 restrictions, but the mare’s jumping rounds were filmed by the rider’s son Jack who was on duty as groom. She had recorded a 1.20m double clear in CoilOg earlier in the month.

“It’s just devastating,” said O’Haire. “She was super across the country at Blackstairs, recording the fastest time, and then gave an exhibition show jumping round. I let her out on Monday and she was bucking and galloping and squealing and was in great form all week. She took sick early on Saturday and there was nothing the vets could do for her.”

Heffernan purchased China Doll (whose stable name was Angelina) as a foal from her Co Kilkenny breeder, Ronan Tynan, and sent her to O’Haire as a yearling. After that she only left Hawthorn Farm to compete, becoming part of the family. Her eventing career began in May 2011 at EI100 level and she was upgraded in September the following year, posting her first EI110 victory on April 1st 2013. Later that season, she competed in international one-star events at Tattersalls, Camphire and Blair Castle.

Great record

China Doll went on to win seven EI115 events (many of them Open) and, emotionally, she carried James to victory in the CIC3* at Camphire in July 2016, just weeks after the death of his mother, Hazel. Abroad, the Kildare combination competed at (the old) two-star level in Jardy and Osberton (twice), at three-star level in Blenheim, Boekelo and Belton and at four-star level in Pau, Badminton and Luhmühlen.

O’Haire had a great affinity with the mare as his wife Ciara mentioned when posting the news of China Doll’s death on the Hawthorn Farm Facebook page on Monday. “Angelina’s energy was endless and she always tried her best, brave as a lion, she and James had the most amazing bond, she pricked her ears every time she heard his voice. She tolerated the rest of us!”