SETTLED just outside Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, Drumhowan Stud is one of just a few studs which offers a complete choice of stallions for Irish breeders.

Owned and managed by Eamonn and Gladys McArdle, the couple have built up a strong portfolio of stallions, catering to those looking to breed a Sport Horse, Irish Draught or a Thoroughbred.

Although Drumhowan Stud offers much diversity, they don’t sacrifice quality as they have handpicked outstanding stallions for their roster.

Their passion, experience and their business plan has commanded the attention of several European top stud owners and as a result, the McArdles have gained the trust of various stallion owners who have contracted their top stallions to stand in the flesh at Drumhowan Stud.

In total, Drumhowan Stud now stands eight performance stallions, two Thoroughbred stallions and three Registered Irish Draught stallions.

Established stallions in the stable include Cobra 18 (WEST); Vittorio (HOLST); Colandro (HOLST); Exquis Powerfee (KWPN); Cormint (HOLST); Hie¨llo (KWPN); Scrapman (RID); Dunsandle Diamond (RID) and Primary (USA) (TB).

STALLION ROSTER

This season in a bid to offer more diversity, the McArdles are delighted to introduce four new stallions to their roster - Lucarelli (GER) (TB); Cloncastle Silver Squire (RID); J. Reach For The Stars (KWPN) and Parco (BWP).

At Drumhowan, new demands from their clientele help to create their enthusiastic approach in offering a diverse and unique stallion roster in a successful business, now spanning over five decades.

2018 sees the change of address for Ringfort Cruise, Road To Happiness and Arkan while Exquis Oliver Q and Kingdom joins Nick Cousins, Tullabeg Stud in Co. Wexford.

However their stables were only briefly vacant as the introduction of Parco (BWP), J. Reach for the Stars (KWPN), Cloncastle Silver Squire (RID) and the recent acquisition of the handsome thoroughbred stallion Lucarelli, from Germany, tops off a spectacular stallion roster again for 2018.

Already, the interest from breeders has been very positive.

The McArdles’ relationship with some of their breeders stretches back four generations of some families.

“This is a genuinely rewarding aspect, to the years of dedication. Clients return in the certain knowledge that there will be a stallion to suit their breeding aspiration, their mare and their pockets. Proven sires and new stallion prospects equally command the attention of new clients year after year.

And so the business has grown immensely this past 10 years or so,” explained Gladys.

BROODMARES

The McArdles are also commercial horse breeders themselves and have approximately 12 broodmares.

“We breed ourselves so we know what issues breeders face. We are not huge fans of using over-crowded stallions because sometimes supply outweighs demand at the sales.

In our opinion, it’s attractive to be different and stand-out with a foal by a new or younger stallion at the sales.

“However, the cross of the mare and stallion must be compatible, so it is imperative to see the stallions in the flesh or if not, be advised by someone with proven integrity and firm knowledge of breeding,” they advise.

The old adage Let your eye be your judge and your pocket the guide, still rings true today.

Drumhowan Stud’s owners strive to achieve their goals with a positive can-do attitude and appreciate that there is a lesson in every setback and challenge.

Their vision going forward is to continue to be a respected sport horse breeding enterprise. An Approved EU Semen Export Centre for example would be a very beneficial asset to the stud.

“Then we could meet a new and firm demand from breeders for various stallions to the UK and further afield,” said the McArdles.

In the meantime, Gladys and Eamon McArdle will carry on meeting and exceeding their Irish clients’ expectations.

They will pursue market trends so that their mission to Breed, Buy and Sell weathers the test of time.

Drumhowan Stud

new stallions

Lucarelli (TB)

High Chaparral x the Acatenango-sired mare Lavorna.

Owned by Drumhowan Stud. Purchased by Eamon McArdle recently in Germany.

This stallion has already five Studbook Approvals in Germany. Following a successful racing career in which he won seven races, he retired sound.

Cloncastle Silver

Squire (RID)

Fast Silver x Gurraun Zidane-sired mare Derradda Mist.

Owned by David Doyle.

This stunning six-year-old has a pedigree and a glowing HSI inspection report that sets him apart. He will be very marketable to purebred and part-bred breeders alike at Drumhowan Stud.

J. Reach For The Stars

(KWPN)

E-Star (by Big Star) x the Guidam-sired mare Zerminka N.

Owned by Admiral Springs Farm.

Representing the Olympic gold medal winner Big Star who was so successfully campaigned by Nick Skelton.

This young four-year-old stallion has a blue-blooded pedigree – Big Star, Heartbreaker, Guidam and Abgar.

His dam’s pedigree is laced with performers including Billy Twomey’s Aminko N (1.60 sj). All of 16.3h.h, he will be available to a limited book of mares in 2018.

Parco (BWP)

Darco x the Attack Z-sired mare Iliona van het Carelshof.

Owned by Ken Rehill, The Stallion Company.

Gladys and Eamon McArdle are indebted to Ken Rehill of The Stallion Company, for entrusting Parco to stand at Drumhowan Stud. He is a renowned global performer in sport and breeding.

Results include: First G.C.T. Champion 2006, 4th Olympic Games Athens, 4th European C’ships, Donaueschingen. Winner of Aachen and Dublin Nations Cups, Estoril Grand Prix CSI 5* (1.60m), Paris Rolex G.P. C.S.I.-W (1.55m), Belgian National Champion and many more.