I WAS born, as part of a family of seven, in the small village of Redcross in Co Wicklow, where my father and mother ran the local village store, petrol pumps and post office, all rolled into one!

My love of horses started at a very young age and I have very fond memories of a pony called Sheila, which I got from Stephanie von Schilcher, who at the time was living at Blindwood Stud nearby. I was 10 when I began hunting on her with the Wicklow Foxhounds with the infamous Florrie Webb as Master and that was the start of a long standing passion for the sport.

Then, about 35 years ago, I got my first broodmare and started breeding quality Irish Sport Horse stock, using the influential lines of Master Imp, Cruising and Clover Hill with Philip Heenan’s and Slyguff stallions playing a very big part of my breeding plans.

My farm nearby is called Ballycapple, which translates from Irish into “The Townsland of the Horse”, so Ballycapple became a very appropriate prefix for naming my stock.

1. Proudest moment(s) as a breeder?

Breeding and producing the Traditional Irish Horse (TIH) stallion Ballycapple Diamond Cruise (by Coevers Diamond Boy out of Ballycapple Cruise by Cruising). This stallion jumped successfully at 1.40m level, is a Grade A and closely related to numerous 1.40m horses, including BMH Bigtime, CJB Showtime and Ballymore Clover.

His progeny include the talented filly Swift Action who is jumping at 1.45m in USA. She was bred and produced here by Mark Finnerty and then campaigned by Olive Clarke. At least three more of his progeny have been sold to the USA in the past year.

“Charlie”, as he is known at home, has an exceptionally kind temperament and outstanding jumping technique, which he passes on to his progeny. It gives me great pleasure to see his offspring doing so well and helping to keep these traditional bloodlines alive for the future.

Also breeding Ballycapple Whisper (by Pointilliste out of Ballycapple Primrose, by Master Imp) who won the two-star competition at Camphire International in 2019 with Australia’s Kevin McNabb in the saddle.

This mare was sold as a foal to Georgia Bale in England, who produced her prior to her being sold and Kevin taking over the ride. As a result of breeding Ballycapple Whisper, I was presented with an award from the Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA) at the RDS Horse Show in 2019, which I was very proud to receive.

Austrialia's Kevin McNab with the Noel Fleming-bred Ballycapple Whisper, winner of the CCI2*-Lat Camphire International in 2019 \ EquusPix

2. Favourite broodmare, past or present?

I have fond memories of a super mare I hunted called Ardnacrusha Lass, by Clover Hill, who went on to produce numerous top-class horses, including Ballycapple Cadenza who jumped at 1.45m. She also produced the Grade A jumper, Ballycapple Heather.

3. How many broodmares do you currently have?

Presently I have three broodmares, all home-breds, namely:

Ballycapple Primrose (TIH) (Master Imp - Ardnacrusha Lass, by Clover Hill), currently in foal to my own stallion, Ballycapple Diamond Cruise.

Ballycapple Kings Mistress (TIH) (Kings Master - Ballycapple Cruise, by Cruising), will be covered early this year by Barbara Hatton’s new thoroughbred stallion, Gibeon (by Cape Cross) at Slyguff Stud.

And her half-sister Ballycapple Brigade Cruise (TIH) (Clover Brigade - Ballycapple Cruise, by Cruising).

4. Any foals expected in 2022?

Yes, expecting just one foal this year, from Ballycapple Primrose, covered by Ballycapple Diamond Cruise. Ballycapple Vagabond, a full-brother to this expected foal, has recently been sold after being professionally produced for eventing by Debbie Flavin.

5. Describe your winter regime for mares/youngstock.

Both mares and youngstock are housed for the winter, getting good quality hay and hard feed supplied by Red Mills. They get turned out regularly, as weather permits.

6. Have you changed your breeding policy over the years?

No, I haven’t changed my breeding policy over the years, but while my preference is for traditional and thoroughbred lines, I have also used continental stallions such as Cavalier Royale, Aldatus Z and Vivant.

In the future, I would like to breed a more athletic type of horse for eventing with a larger percentage of thoroughbred blood, as I feel this market is more suitable to me.

7. Do you sell or retain youngstock, or a combination of both?

I normally retain youngstock until they’re three-year-olds but have kept on some promising youngsters to be produced as event horses or jumpers.

Riders that have successfully produced young horses for me include Darryl Walker, who jumped Ballycapple Diamond Cruise up the ranks to 1.40m.

Also more recently Debbie Flavin and Niall Redmond have produced some of my young horses for eventing. From time to time, if the opportunity arises, I buy a young sport horse to produce and sell on as well.

8. Like several sport horse breeders, you’ve also started to branch into thoroughbreds.

Recently, I have been buying a National Hunt foal at the sales for the last couple of years, with a view to selling them at three. I presently have a two-year-old gelding by Jet Away and a yearling colt by Youmzain.

9. Best advice you got?

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and after that, just do it!

In general, people in the horse world are extremely accommodating with their time and advice.

10. An idea for the future?

Would it be progressive to develop a system of notification for the breeder when a horse is named and also when it is entered in a registered competition, similar to the Horse Tracker system in thoroughbred racing?

I feel it would create a lot more incentive to breeders if they could easily follow the horses they breed throughout their careers.

Everyone likes to see and hear about their own home-bred horses doing well!