Irish Draught Stallions

SIX of the top-10 placed stallions from the class of 2019 return to Ring 1 this year, including the reigning champion: Cappa Aristocrat. Jimmy and Edel Quinn’s stallion, aiming for a treble after his other previous win in 2017, is one of three entries sent up from Cappa Stud with Cappa Capone and Cappa Dianthus completing their trio.

Also returning is Kate and Pat Hoare’s Moylough Legacy, reserve champion to Cappa Aristocrat on their most recent clash three years ago and his younger full-brother Moylough Supremacy.

Eamon and Gladys McArdle’s Drumhowan Stud is another to throw down a triple-handed challenge next week, both in the Irish Draught and Croker Cup stallion classes.

Their team includes Dunsandle Diamond, one more of the top-10 in the 2019 class, returns together with Heigh Ho Dubh and Scrapboy, a son of the Mexican export Scrapman.

Sean Barker’s multi-tasking performance champion Gortfree Lakeside Lad is back, as is his sire Gortfree Hero, already a three-time victor of this class. Rita and Anthony Coughlan’s Columcille Diamond Boy completes the 2019 group of placed stallions, aiming for a Ring 1 rematch.

Dublin debut

Of course what keeps any class relevant are new contenders and a number of stallions make their Dublin debut this year.

This group includes Katie Stafford’s Dennistown Prince of Pride, (also qualified for the Irish Draught performance final the previous day); Charmaine Kee and Enda Hamill’s Gweebarra Dreamtime Star; Danielle Cusack’s Hollypark Diamond and Danny Molloy’s The Bachelor, by the late Fast Silver.

Two more first-timers include Siorcha Redmond’s Murrisk The Holy Grail and Seamus Sloyan’s three-year-old King Elvis I, both successful Class 1 graduates at Cavan back in March. Another contender is Liam Lynskey’s DS Ballagh Bouncer, whose sire Moylough Bouncer was another loss from the Irish Draught stallion ranks this year.

From what information can be gathered, it appears like a full house for this year’s Irish Draught stallion class and for safety reasons, the APCOA-sponsored class may well be divided for Thursday’s parade (1.20pm) and judging the following day (Friday, 1.20pm).

This year’s Irish Draught judges are an intriguing combination of racehorse trainer legend Henrietta Knight and Bérengère Lacroix, from France.