The penultimate leg of the Foal Championship qualifiers took place in Goresbridge, County Kilkenny, on Thursday 24th September.
There was a fantastic turnout with 44 foals entered, amongst these were Connemara ponies, Irish Warmbloods, Irish Sport Ponies & Horses and Traditionally bred Irish horses.
The day started in the afternoon with the Pony Eventing section. The win was taken by Inga D’arcy’s colt foal ID Deliver (CP), by Atour Coeur Melody (CP), out of I’d Say I’m Perfect (CP), by Kingstown Cavalier (CP). A foal out of the same mare qualified for the Grand Final in 2024. Second place went to Brendan Doyle’s colt foal, Ballinaguilkey Ross (CP), by Ross Fear Bui (CP), out of Lakehill Melody (CP), by I Love You Melody (CP).
ID Deliver (CP), colt by Atour Coeur Melody (CP), out of I’d Say I’m Perfect (CP), by Kingstown Cavalier (CP), bred by Inga D’arcy
The day moved onto the second pony class, the Pony Showjumping section. Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP) was the champion here. This colt foal is by Double Pleasure (BES), out of Lambay Rumor Has It (IPS), by Fofsway Noble Lord (RP), bred by Ann Grimes. In second place was Romy Bolger’s filly foal J’ador Miss Polo (CP), by Gwennic de Goariva (CP), out of Dunabbey (CP), by Rossconn Abbey Tom Boy (CP).
Lambay It’s My Pleasure (ISP) colt foal is by Double Pleasure (BES), out of Lambay Rumor Has It (IPS), by Fofsway Noble Lord (RP), bred by Ann Grimes
The Horse Eventing section was the third section of the day. This class was heavily contested with 17 competitors entered. The champion on the day was Des and Margaret Jeffares’ colt foal Ballykelly Crusader (ISH), by Grand Cru VD Vijf Eiken (BWP), out of Ballykelly Donail Belle (ISH), by Shannondale Sarco (BWP). Second place was awarded to Keenan Stable’s colt foal Bellardo (ISH), out of Bellavalent, who is by Valent (KWPN), sired by, Diarado (HOLST). The top placed traditionally bred foal was Millview Lady (ISH)[TIH], by Portlaoise First Tuch (ISH)[TIH], out of Millview Star (ISH)[TIH], by Ashkawar (TB), bred by Siobhan Carroll.
Ballykelly Crusader (ISH), colt by Grand Cru VD Vijf Eiken (BWP), out of Ballykelly Donail Belle (ISH), by Shannondale Sarco (BWP), bred by Des and Margaret Jeffares
The final section of the day was the showjumping section for horse foals. Winning the class was Thistletown Stud’s Thistletown Number Five (ISH), a colt foal by Call Me Number One (WESTF), out of Bonnie (AES), by Foxglen Cruise Control (AES). This is the fourth year in a row a foal out of the Furlong’s mare Bonnie (AES) has qualified for the Grand Final, in 2025 Thistletown Victoria (ISH), placed second overall in the eventing section at the final. Second place went to Brian Murphy’s colt foal, Ballyconra Sox (ISH), also by Call Me Number One (WESTF), out of Juku (ISH), who is by Jorado (KWPN).
Thistletown Number Five (ISH), a colt foal by Call Me Number One (WESTF), out of Bonnie (AES), by Foxglen Cruise Control (AES), bred by David Furlong.
A huge congratulations to all competitors, and a big thank you to all the breeders who continue to support the Foal Championship.
The Foal Championship is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under National Breeding Services.
The next leg of the Foal Championship qualifiers will be held in Maryville on 30th September. Click HERE to enter.