The Foal Championship concluded in Emerald Equestrian on 15th October with the Grand Final. All qualifying foals were in attendance, with four foals in each of the four categories; pony eventing, pony showjumping, horse eventing and horse showjumping. The Foal Championship is funded by the DAFM under National Breeding Services.
The day began at 12pm with the pony eventing. First in the ring was Fintan Cosgrove’s Knockmoy Pleasure (ISP), who was the first qualified foal for this section. Next in the ring was Jackie Hockley’s Carnakilly Sydney (CP), followed by ID Deliver (CP), bred by Inga D’arcy. Last in the ring, and taking the Champion title was Jane Ryan’s colt foal Killelton Milo (CP).
Jane Ryan’s colt foal, Killelton Milo (CP), Champion Eventing Pony Foal, pictured with judges Jane Darragh, Liam Lynskey and Dr.Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding Innovation & Development, HSI.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
Knockmoy Pleasure (ISP), bred by Fintan Cosgrove. Reserve Champion Eventing Pony Foal.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
| Placing | Foal | Sire | Dam | Damsire | Breeder |
| 1st | Killelton Milo (CP) | Liskillen Archie (CP) | Cityview Linsfort Last Lady (CP) | Linsfirt Lad (CP) | Jane Ryan |
| 2nd | Knockmoy Pleasure (ISP) | Another Pleasure (KWPN) | Moonlight Magic (CP) | Moonlight Silver Shadow (CP) | Fintan Cosgrove |
| 3rd | Carnakilly Sydney (CP) | Carnakilly Mac Guire (CP) | Carnakilly Empress (CP) | Glenree De l’Aulne (CP) | Jackie Hockley |
| 4th | ID Deliver (CP) | Atour Coeur Melody (CP) | I’d Say I’m Perfect (CP) | Kingstown Cavalier (CP) | Inga D’Arcy |
The second class of the day was the pony showjumping section. The class began with Stephen McDonald’s filly foal, Jasmines Dancing Diva (ISP), followed by Cash Only Please (ISH), bred by Thomas Webb. Next into the ring was Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP), bred by Ann Grimes. Last into the ring was Becca Dunlea’s Kestrels Orans Gwenndaline (CP). Thomas Webb’s colt foal was crowned Champion of this class, followed by Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP).
Cash Only Please (ISP), bred by Thomas Webb, Champion Showjumping Pony Foal, pictured with the Webb family, judges Jane Darragh, Liam Lynskey and Dr.Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding Innovation & Development, HSI.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP), bred by Ann Grimes. Reserve Champion Showjumping Pony Foal.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
| Placing | Foal | Sire | Dam | Damsire | Breeder |
| 1st | Cash Only Please (ISH) | Quality Time (HOLST) | Future Lady (ISH)[TIH] | Song of Freedom (CP) | Thomas Webb |
| 2nd | Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP) | Double Pleasure (BES) | Lambay Rumor Has It (IPS) | Fofsway Noble Lord (RP) | Ann Grimes |
| 3rd | Kestrels Oran Gwenndaline (CP) | Gwennic de Goariva (CP) | Royal Oak Casey (CP) | 3DR Gabha Óir (CP) | Becca Dunlea |
| 4th | Jasmines Dancing Diva (ISP) | Weststar Sunny (CP) | Dancing Jasmine (ISH) | Moores Clover (ISH)[TIH] | Stephen McDonald |
The horse foal classes were next, starting with the eventing section. Liz Murphy’s colt foal Cappulcorragh Dance in Time (WSI) was first in the ring. Following on was Dorough Ferro Star (ISH), bred by Gordon Drury, and Ballykelly Crusader (ISH), bred by Des & Margaret Jeffares. Last in the ring for this class and taking the ultimate champion title was Joanna van Riel’s filly foal, Glengarra Jadore (ISH).
Glengarra Jadore (ISH), bred by Joanna van Riel, pictured with judge Rosemary Connors and Dr.Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding Innovation & Development, HSI.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
Dorough Ferro Star (ISH), bred by Gordon Drury. Reserve Champion Eventing Horse Foal
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
| Placing | Foal | Sire | Dam | Damsire | Breeder |
| 1st | Glengarra Jadore (ISH) | Jorado (KWPN) | Glengarra Royal Rouet (ISH) | Balou du Rouet (OLD) | Joanna van Riel |
| 2nd | Dourough Ferro Star (ISH) | Creevagh Ferro (KWPN) | Dourough Keepsake (ISH) | Colandro (HOLST) | Gordon Drury |
| 3rd | Ballykelly Crusader (ISH) | Grand Cru VD Vijf Eiken (BWP) | Ballykelly Donail Belle (ISH) | Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BWP) | Des and Margaret Jeffares |
| 4th | Cappulcorragh Dance in Time (WSI) | Gaileo Dance (TB) | Cappulcorragh Quality Time (ISH) | OBOS Quality (OLD) | Liz Murphy |
The final class of the 2026 Foal Championships was the horse showjumping class. Kicking off the class was Andrea Etter’s colt foal, Mr Sapphire B (ISH), who went on to be named champion. Next into the ring was Lisa Rosbotham’s filly foal, Miss My Way (ISH), who was subsequently reserve champion. The last two foals in the ring were Thistletown Stud’s Thistletown Number Five (ISH), and Emma O’Regan’s colt Seaview Obession (ISH).
Mr Sapphire B (ISH), bred by Andrea Etter, Champion Showjumping Horse Foal, pictured with judges Paul Duffy and Richard Bourns, and Dr.Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding Innovation & Development, HSI.
Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jumpinaction
Miss My Way (ISH), bred by Lisa Rosbotham. Reserve Champion Showjumping Horse Foal.
| Placing | Foal | Sire | Dam | Damsire | Breeder |
| 1st | Mr Sapphire B (ISH) | Color Van’t Roosakker Z (ZANG) | Lucy In The Sky B (ISH) | O-Piloth (KWPN) | Andrea Etter |
| 2nd | Miss My Way (ISH) | My Way (OLD) | Miss Valent (ISH) | Valent (KWPN) | Lisa Rosbotham |
| 3rd | Seaview Obsession (ISH) | Berlin (HOLST) | Tinkabell 12 (KWPN) | Casco (HOLST) | Emma O’Regan |
| 4th | Thistletown Number Five (ISH) | Call Me Number One (WESTF) | Bonnie (AES) | Foxglen Cruise Control (AES) | David Furlong |
A huge congratulations to all competitors and champions from the 2026 Foal Championship, and thank you to all breeders who continue to support the Foal Championship initative.
The Foal Championships are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under National Breeding Services.