Millstreet Ruby (5yo) Final

ELITE Della Caccia won the prestigious Millstreet Ruby five-year-old final at Millstreet Horse Show last Sunday morning.The Elvis Ter Putte gelding, out of Cardentina Della Caccia (by Cardento) triumphed in the hands of Daren Hopkins.

Speaking to The Irish Field after their win, Hopkins said: “We’re delighted with the result. It’s a really nice class to win. He improved every day which is exactly what you want.

“He hasn’t done a huge amount really, he’s learning all the time. He is a lovely horse and jumped clear every day, he just got better and better .

“He is a big careful horse, with a big future ahead of him. When he went into the bigger arena for the final, he felt as though he belonged there, it suited him.

“I was last to go in the jump-off and when I asked him to go a bit quick, he came into his own and answered every question asked of him.

“He is a product of the breeding programme here in Co Wexford which is run by April Allen. We have his mother, and his half-sister Diadema Della Caccia (Diamant De Semilly x Cardentina Della Caccia) is competing in the seven- and eight-year-olds at Dubin this week. She was produced here and sold last year to Timmy Brennan.

“We have 15 or 16 in work at the moment. The youngsters are sent up to Mags Power in Co Meath first to be broken and then come back here to be produced up to about six or seven years old.

“After that they are then sent to the Allen’s farm in Germany where they will either produce them further for sales, compete them, or more recently bring them on for their Aloga Auction.

“I have two five-year-olds for Dublin this week, one from the breeding programme - Nana Della Caccia (Chacco Blue x Quaprice Bois Margot) - and one, Magic Girl (Malibu TN x Padinus), who was bought in as a four-year-old. So hopefully they can produce some more good results for us this week.”

Jason Foley and Castlefield Breeding farm’s mare Castlefield Su (Chacoon Blue x Quidam de Revel) finished as runners-up just marginally slower than Hopkins in 36.95 seconds.

Third was another from the Ballywalter Stables Vladimir Della Caccia (Vagabond De La Pomme x Quaprice Bois Margot) with Jason Higgins in the saddle.

Fourth place went to the winner of the second qualifier on Thursday, Maggiemae C (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Lancelot) and Adam Carey.

Fifth place went to another from the Castlefield Breeding farm, the Kannan - Darco stallion Castlefield Duke with Ger O’Neill on board. Shane O’Reilly riding Brian McConville’s BWE Vain Hero (Ugadi Hero Z x Darco) completed the top six.

Historic class

The Millstreet Ruby five-year-old final is named after the most successful horse to come from the Co Cork venue.

Owned and bred by Noel C. Duggan, Millstreet Ruby was sired by the Irish Draught stallion King of Diamonds out of the Thoroughbred mare Carran, by Anthony.

Her biggest wins include the Falsterbo Grand Prix with Comdt. Gerry Mullins in 1994 and the Monterrey Derby in Mexico with Capt John Ledingham in 1997.

In a glittering competition career, Millstreet Ruby recorded international wins in Calgary, Dublin, Eindhoven, Falsterbo and Hickstead and did much to put Millstreet on the map.