WITH all top-three prizewinners - Chilli Morning, Horseware Hale Bob and Clifton Lush – either by thoroughbred sires or pure thoroughbred, this year’s Badminton results emphasised the importance of TB blood for the eventing market.

One new sire commanding interest here from both thoroughbred and sport horse breeders is Island Commander, sourced from Jim Bolger’s yard by Michael Murphy to stand at his Clohamon Stud, outside Bunclody.