I’M from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone - home to the very famous Rainbow Café, which is owned by my parents, Mary and Brian.

I have grown up around horses all my life and the Douglas family has a longstanding equestrian tradition as my grandfather and uncles all owned horses and had a long history of show jumping. My father, Brian Douglas, has always owned and developed ponies and horses, and played a hugely formative role in directing my own individual passion and love for horses.

I’m one of seven siblings, and many of us used to show jump. My sister Emma jumped ponies to a high level, including some great outings at the RDS. I work and collaborate closely with my brother Hugh, who, along with his wife Elaine, also develops young horses. His daughter and my goddaughter, Ellen, is currently forging a very promising eventing career, recently placing at Lisgarvan International two-star.

My fiancée, Melissa Mulligan, also hails from strong horsey lineage. Her two brothers John and Tadhg are successful show jumpers on the national circuit.

You could say then that there has been no escape from horses for me from a very young age, and I never needed or wanted one. My passion for riding grew into a passion for development of young horses, which eventually led me to breeding them. I have a successful history of buying and developing young foals and horses.

1. Congratulations on breeding the standout performer at the WBFSH Studbooks Global Champions Trophy with DHF Alliance (Ard VDL Douglas). Tell us more about her and this family.

DHF Alliance’s mother is Rosie Bee (Lux Z x Clover Hill). I’ve had this mare from a two-year-old and she was a very successful young horse herself, campaigned by Clem McMahon. Rosie Bee gave us plenty of great days out and won a class in Lanaken as a seven-year-old.

Alliance was Rosie Bee’s first foal, she was a product of a conversation between myself and Clem where he suggested the stallion, VDL Douglas, as he thought he would suit the mare.

Alliance was a quality foal, blood, very feisty and very pretty. I sold her as a foal and she ended up with Jess Stallard, who has produced her brilliantly. She handed over the reins to Comdt. Geoff Curran, who has continued developing the mare magnificently.

I also have a full-sister to Alliance at home, who will be retained for breeding. Rosie Bee also has a Tangelo four-year-old with Daniel Coyle, who is showing great promise and a Grandorado two-year-old with John Hoyne.

2. Your proudest breeder moment?

There is a lot of pride and joy that comes with breeding and developing young horses but my proudest breeder moment came last weekend with Alliance scoring a hat-trick of wins at the WBFSH Studbooks Global Champions Trophy in Valkenswaard, Netherlands. It was the inaugural running of the championships, and I think it could be a long time before we see such sustained quality performance across the three days.

To top both qualifiers in such stunning fashion was a huge accomplishment in itself, but to go on and take the title has got to be up there as a top moment.

3. How many mares/foals do you currently have?

Rosie Bee is my only mare and she currently has a cracking Comme Il Faut colt foal. If the right customer/home comes along, I would sell, however if not, I would be happy to keep and put him under saddle. Rosie Bee is in foal now to Emerald this season, and I’ve also retained a full-sister to DHF Alliance, who is now a yearling. We currently have around 30 horses: from foals to three-year-olds.

4. The Douglas family also have a passion for traditional bloodlines. How do you feel traditional breeding fits into sport horse breeding today?

I am a huge fan of the traditional bloodlines. My ideal cross for a modern event horse is a traditional-bred mare with a high blood count.

I feel traditionally bred mares (with high blood percentages), when crossed with a jump sire, have a really important role to play in producing quality, modern, commercial event horses. I’m finding on a personal level, commercially selling as three-year-olds, the traditionally bred horse struggles, (that’s not to say in the long grass the traditional-bred horse turns out the better event horse), but they need to be with a very good producer under saddle.

Nicky Roncoroni has done a fantastic job with my own Rock Island, (Island Commander x Coolcorran, Cool Diamond x Cruising), who we are hopeful will go all the way to the top with his new owners.

5. Your thoughts on prefixes?

I can see the pros and cons for prefixes. As a breeder, it is nice to have your prefix attached but I also see the other side. If you bought a foal from someone and kept that foal for three-six years, you’re probably entitled to call it what you like.

6. It takes a team - who’s on yours?

It definitely takes a team. My father, brother and fiancée are essential in the day-to-day running of the farm. Dad keeps the place immaculate and is a serious judge of a foal. He could spot a conformation fault at the top of a mountain.

I may be biased, but, for me, my brother is the best handler of a three-year-old in Ireland. Melissa keeps all the three-year-olds looking super and looks after them like they are kids. My godfather Brian Douglas plays a key role also and good friend Ciaran Woods is always on hand if a crisis ever arises.

And I better not forget my mum, Mary. She holds the whole thing together and has to listen to a lot of crying and entertain a lot of clients!

Comdt Geoff Curran and DHF Alliance on their way to winning the seven/eight-year-old Championship Final at the Irish Breeders' Classic \ Rolf Stenberg Jumpinaction.net

7. If you could have bred any horse, which one?

Pacino. I saw him up-close as a young horse, as he was the same age as Rosie Bee, so Clem would regularly have them at the same shows. The night he won the six/seven-year-old Classic in Cavan, he was electric.

8. Do breeders get enough recognition?

I suppose not really, but does any breeder breed to get recognition? I know it is the furthest thing from my mind when choosing a stallion each season.

9. What is the best advice you ever got?

When you’re going through hell, don’t stop, keep going, you’ll get out the other side!

10. Who would be your top-three dinner party guests?

Jurgen Klopp – I am a huge Liverpool fan, but could listen to him on a multitude of subjects.

Liam Gallagher – Oasis fan and there wouldn’t be a dull moment with this guy.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Big fan of his movies and I reckon he would have a few stories to tell.