ONE of the best Irish racing stories from 2025 was Gordon Elliott’s achievement in October when he sent five horses to Far Hills in New Jersey and all five won their races, including the American Grand National.

What was not covered in any of the press reports at the time was the fact that Cooper Horse Transport handled all the logistics. Based in Kilsallaghan, north Co Dublin, Coopers don’t seek publicity, in fact they prefer to go about their business quietly and professionally, as they have done for generations.

Contacted this week by The Irish Field, Gavin Cooper was helpful and polite, but stressed that he did not want to talk up the family business. “We ship horses for everyone and we go everywhere,” he said in a matter-of-fact way. “Like Gordon Elliott, our clients just trust us to get the job done. It was great to be associated with those American winners, but we are used to travelling some of the best horses in the world.”

Gavin’s grandfather founded the business and the Cooper family remains at the core of the business. Gavin and his brother Warren are the frontline, along with their father Oliver. “We have a big team of people on the road and in the office, and they are all very important,” Gavin says, “but we’re lucky to have my brother and father so involved. We’ll take a call at any hour of the day or night, and maybe that’s what sets us apart from other transporters.”

Web: cooperhorses.com