Isabel Hurley

THE debate over the merits of Irish-bred versus foreign-bred horses has gripped the Irish sport horse breeding in recent years but one Carrickmacross breeder was left in no doubt as to the wider world’s opinion on the hot topic.

Tom Jones of Greaghwillan Stud confirmed to The Irish Field that he offered 14 three-year-old Carrick Diamond Lad horses in one lot and was inundated with over 300 replies from across Ireland, Britain, Italy and America.

“I offered eight geldings and six fillies, all by Carrick Diamond Lad who I stand here, in one lot. I never witnessed anything like the response we got from right across the world. We must have had 300 phone calls and emails. There is such interest in them because they are homebred, untried horses in the field.

“We are quite hopeful of selling them all in one go, if that doesn’t happen, we will sell them in ones and twos. No matter what, it’s very encouraging to see the response. I’m a firm believer all my life in the traditional Irish-bred horse and this has proved to me that the Irish breeders should not take their eye off the ball, they should stick to traditional Irish-bred horses.

Exceptional

“Last year, of our 16 Carrick Diamond Lad three-year-olds, eight qualified for Monart sale and two for the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale.

“Carrick Diamond Lad gets them all - from show jumpers to event and dressage horses - as well as his fillies turning out to be exceptional broodmares. He has a reputation for passing on good traits including ability, movement, temperament and the horses have that extra leg, according to some of the top riders in the world such as Leslie Law and Bruce Davidson,’’ said Jones.

Carrick Diamond Lad (by Flagmount Diamond) is fully approved by the Irish Horse Board as an Irish Sport Horse stallion and his pedigree represents King of Diamonds, Sky Boy, Ozymandais, Highland Flight.