2024 DAFM Studbook Series wraps up with terrific Tattersalls finale

The final leg of the 2024 DAFM Studbook Series, delivered by Horse Sport Ireland; the National Federation, was held at the Tattersalls July Show over the sunny weekend of the 27^th and 28^th of July.

There were over 30 entries in the 5-year-olds, with the top 25 making it to Sunday’s final. Saturday’s qualifier was led by Lawerence Patterson’s Cornet’s Fox Z (ZANG), ridden by Gillian Beale King, closely followed by Leah Stack and BP Vibrant (ISH). League leaders Gurtera Venture MF (ISH) and Darragh Ryan were close behind. The Sunday saw 11 of the 25 qualified jump off. The final was taken by 2023’s 5-year-old winner Vincent Byrne, with Belle Mai (ISH) on jump off time of 31.57, well clear of runner up. Darragh Ryan kept up his clear round streak and took league winner with Tomas Ryan’s Gurtera Venture MF (ISH). Leah Stack took home leading young rider for the 5-year-old league, beating out stable mate Harry Wood.

Gemma Phelan led in the 6-year-old qualifier on Saturday with Gerard Burke’s mare Glidawn Gigi (ISH). She was followed by Brendan Murphy and Milla Van De Kapel (BWP). Unfortunately, Brendan sustained an injury in the Tattersalls Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon, taking him out of the running for Sunday’s final. Leah kept up her winning streak on Sunday, following the 5-year-olds and last week’s success in Balmoral and took home final winner, league winner and leading young rider with Lisa Cawley’s Luisa (ISH).

“We are delighted with Luisa and Leah’s win in both the 6-Year-Old DAFM Studbook Final and also the 6-Year-Old DAFM Series. We would like to thank the Department of Agriculture and HSI for their ongoing commitment to the young horse classes which are such an important support and initiative for Irish breeders and producers. We also want to thank Leah, Greg, Rachel, Ashleigh and all the team at Ballypatrick Stables who take such good care of Luisa and who have done a wonderful job producing her. Luisa has been produced through the Series as a 5- and 6-year-old and it is lovely to see how the DAFM classes have helped her development and progression, culminating in her win in the Balmoral leg last weekend and her win in both the final and the league in Tattersalls this weekend. She is a very consistent mare, clever, careful and always gives her best so we have been excited about her future. The Series has been a great preparation for her for Dublin and Lanaken to come. Long term she will hopefully make a nice broodmare as she comes from a good family.”

The pair was closely followed by Gemma Phelan and GRC Mercedes (ISH), with .52 of a second between winner and second place. It was a busy day for Gemma, also placing 4^th with GRC Casper (ISH). Ballypatrick’s BP Dancing Light (ISH) and rider Harry Wood taking third place.

Gemma’s busy day continued with 3 more in the 7-year-old jump off, managing to take the win with her own ESI Nixon (ISH), finishing on an impressive time of 30.64.

“The league is great for the horses; they keep learning every leg. Nixon has been jumping well throughout the series. He was unlucky at some legs, but it was great to get the win. He jumped some nice rounds; he deserved the final win”.

ESI Nixon was bred by Andrew Hughes, also owner of league winner, stallion Mendoza VDL (KWPN), ridden by Shane Dalton. Mendoza VDL is fully approved with the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland. Having had a consistent season with Shane, going double clear at each DAFM Studbook Series leg they attended, coming in third place in the final Tattersalls leg. Second place went to young rider Katie Power with her gelding Starfield Brighteye (ISH), also taking home leading young rider. Katie jumped the 6-year-old series last year with Starfield Brighteye, coming 8^th in last year’s final. Gemma also came in fourth with her own stallion Vicarstown (ISH).

The studbook series came to a close on Sunday after seven legs and much success for riders, owners and breeders. This year the series was ‘paused’ while the RDS young horse qualifiers were on, aiming to give the young horses a break between the classes.

“These are good classes for young horses. The pause between the studbook series and the RDS qualifiers was a good idea. It can be too much on the horses, especially the 5-year-olds, who are weaker and greener. Some of the tracks being a bit smaller was good for the greener horses to build their confidence and give them experience. The mix of one and two day shows this year is a good thing too. Hopefully that format will be there next year. It’s a great series especially for owner-breeders to see their young homebreds given a chance.”

Horse Sport Ireland would like to congratulate all riders, owners, breeders and grooms involved in the 2024 DAFM Studbook Series and thank the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine for their continued support.

5-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE FINAL

6-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE FINAL

7-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE FINAL

Breeding:

Cornet’s Fox Z (ZANG) – 2019 mare by Cornet Obolensky (BWP) out of Oak Grove’s Firefox (HANN) by Fighting Fit (HANN).
Breeder: Gestut Eichenhain.
Owner: Lawrence Patterson, Co. Down.
Rider: Gillian Beale King (USA).

BP Vibrant (ISH) – 2019 gelding by Vivant Van De Heffinck (BWP) out of Cruisings Lux Hill (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN).
Breeder: Michael J Hogan, Co. Tipperary.
Owner: Gary and Leslie Hazelwood, Co. Tipperary.
Rider: Leah Stack (IRL).

Gurtera Venture MF (ISH) – 2019 gelding by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Gurtera Cara Donn (ISH) by Elvis Ter Putte (BWP).
Breeder: Jim and Anne Bradley, Co. Cork.
Owner: Tomas Ryan, Co. Tipperary.
Rider: Darragh Ryan (IRL).

Belle Mai (ISH) – 2019 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Coolgrange Cruising (ISH) by Furistos Trump (ISH).
Breeder and Owner: Maddie Brennan and Rachel Moxham, Co. Kilkenny.
Rider: Vincent Byrne (IRL).

Glidawn Gigi (ISH) – 2018 mare by I’m Special De Muze (BWP) out of Drumin Jacqueline (ISH) by Jack of Diamonds (SWB).
Breeder and owner: Gerard Burke, Co. Waterford
Rider: Gemma Phelan (IRL).

Milla Van De Kapel (BWP) – 2018 mare by Mithras De Roger (BWP) out of Afi Van De Kapel (SBS) by Franco Z (KWPN).
Breeder: Robert Socquet.
Owner: Michelle Kenny, Co. Wexford.
Rider: Brendan Murphy (IRL).

Luisa (ISH) – 2018 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Lexi Lady (ISH) by Flexible (ISH).
Breeder: Dr Noel Cawley, Co. Kildare.
Owner: Lisa Cawley, Co. Kildare.
Rider: Leah Stack (IRL).

GRC Mercedes (ISH) – 2018 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Loughnavatta Osprey (ISH) by Chacco Blue (MECKL).
Breeder and owner: Rory Costigan, Co. Tipperary.
Rider: Gemma Phelan (IRL).

GRC Casper (ISH) – 2018 gelding by Sandokan 290 (HANN) out of GRC Sunrise (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN).
Breeder and owner: Rory Costigan, Co. Tipperary.
Rider: Gemma Phelan (IRL).

BP Dancing Light (ISH) – 2018 gelding by Cinsey (HANN) out of BP Flight (ISH) by ARS Vivendi (HOLST).
Breeder and owner: GBBS Ltd.
Rider: Harry Wood (GBR).

ESI Nixon (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Dakar VDL (KWPN) out of ESI Sofia (ISH) by Simba (KWPN).
Breeder: Ennisnag Stud, Co. Kilkenny.
Owner and Rider: Gemma Phelan (IRL).

Mendoza VDL (KWPN) – 2017 stallion by HARLEY VDL (KWPN) out of B DAME VDL (KWPN) by CARDENTO (HOLST).
Breeder: VDL Stud.
Owner: Ennisnag Stud, Co. Kilkenny.
Rider: Shane Dalton (IRL).

Starfield Brighteye (ISH) – 2017 gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of Starfield Primavera (ISH) by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld (BWP).
Breeder: Lino Orlandi, Co. Westmeath.
Owner: Powers Equine Ltd.
Rider: Katie Power (IRL).

Vicarstown (ISH) – 2017 stallion by Luidam (KWPN) out of Flower E (BWP) by Darco (BWP).
Breeder: Michael O’Neill, Co. Longford.
Owner and rider: Gemma Phelan (IRL).