THERE is no better thrill than breeding a horse that wins the Aga Khan Nations Cup at the Dublin Horse Show, so for the breeders of Cian O’Connor’s Kilkenny and Shane Sweetnam’s James Kann Cruz, last Friday was pure magic.

It was great to see the breeders honoured and mentioned at the post-Aga Khan press conference before they joined the winning team for a picture with the Aga Khan. For Tim and Sinead Brennan, it was the second MHS-bred horse on a winning team in seven years, following MHS Going Global’s win in 2015.

Shane Sweetnam could be heard saying “thank you” to Patrick Connolly upon meeting him on Friday, for breeding the superstar that is James Kann Cruz, the talking horse of the week. Well done to Tim and Sinead, Patrick and Shane, and all the Brennan and Connolly families, savour this moment!