THERE are many people who contribute to a racehorse’s success along the way, whether it’s at Ballinrobe or Cheltenham. Celebrating the breeders, who are the first link in the chain of success, is always a pleasure so hats off to Josephine O’Callaghan, breeder of Cole Harden, new World Hurdle champion at Cheltenham for trainer Warren Greatrex and young jockey Gavin Sheehan.

Josephine, who works alongside her husband on their picturesque dairy and beef farm in Kilworth, Co Cork takes up the story: “My father bred horses after my parents were given one as a wedding present 50 years ago. We had the line down the years and a good one is thrown up every generation. Mr Nosie was another winner I bred. I put Nosie Betty (Cole Harden’s dam) in foal to Westerner. He hasn’t been very fashionable til recently but he’s a good solid sire. I usually sell them as foals but I couldn’t sell the foal (Cole Harden) so brought him back to the Derby Sale and sold him there.’’