THE Irish Draught and show world lost one of its best ambassadors in the renowned breeder, judge and inspector, Timmy Sullivan (86). Like many of his generation, the Kilkenny native went to work in post-war England but returned when he inherited an uncle’s farm, fittingly situated near the heritage town of Abbeyleix.

Few did as much to protect the heritage of the Irish Draught or instil a love of horses amongst local children as the sprightly Sullivan, whose now sadly-lost store of knowledge about bloodlines was immense.