RONAN Rothwell’s dream as a breeder came true in the Simmonscourt arena at the Dublin Horse Show last Saturday when his home-bred mare Boleybawn Bella was announced the Mo Chroi four-year-old champion for 2019 under Wicklow rider Michaeli Byrne.

There were tears in the Wicklow breeder’s eyes as his Capri van Overis Z mare received her winning sash. Owned jointly with Ger O’Neill, Rothwell purchased the mare’s dam, HHS Anna (by Andiamo Z), from Brendan Doyle and Tommy Kennedy when she was in foal with Bella.