WHEN Stockdale defied odds of 50/1 to win a mares’ maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month, she became just another winner in just another generation that goes all the way back to 1970 for owner-breeder Brian Hamilton (snr).

Hamilton, who turned 76 this week, bought a mare called Great Connell and has kept the same line going ever since in what his son, trainer and prominent points handler Brian (jr), says has been more of a lifelong hobby project, rather than a commerical kind.