Champions crowned at 2025 Irish Breeders Classic

The 2025 Irish Breeders Classic took place at Barnadown in Co Wexford from August 27th to 31st, with top class competition across a range of age classes.

The Irish Breeders Classic was founded in 2012 with the aim of establishing an event which would boost demand for horses bred by Irish breeders and to attract new investors to the sport. The competition has since gained international recognition, with many past winners going on to have top international careers.

David Moran and the Christopher Cronin-bred Cushlas Killanca (Photo: Laurence Dunne)

The 4-Year-Old Championship Final in The Irish Horse Board arena at the Irish Breeders Classic in Barnadown was won by David Moran and the Christopher Cronin-bred Cushlas Killanca. Second place went to Abigail Boland and the Jack Ryan-bred Elma Bo (ISH) ahead of Shane Dalton in third with CSF Castlelawn Emerald (ISH) who was bred by Patrick Connolly.

Jack Ryan and the Justin Bourke-bred Galwaybay Jim (ISH) (Photo: Laurence Dunne)

Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan and the Justin Bourke-bred Galwaybay Jim (ISH) emerged as winners of the IBC 5-year-old Championship Final. Bp Athena Ii (ISH), bred by Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables. and ridden by Harry Wood finished as runners-up, with third place going to Alan O’ Regan and CSF Seaview (ISH), bred by Patrick Connolly.

Timmy Brennan and Sdf Five Star (ISH) (Photo: Laurence Dunne)

The 6-year-old Championship Final saw victory go to Timmy Brennan and Sdf Five Star (ISH) bred by Samantha Heaney Fegan. Second place went to Gemma Phelan and the Susan Lanigan O’Keefe-bred Sumas Lumen (ISH) while Timmy Brennan also finished third with the Olivia Brennan-bred Gcs Angelina (ISH).

Vincent Byrne and the Patrick Connolly-bred CSF Thomascourt Zena (ISH) (Photo: Laurence Dunne)

Victory in the 7&8 year-old Championship Final went to Kilkenny’s Vincent Byrne and the Patrick Connolly-bred CSF Thomascourt Zena (ISH). Second place went to Niamh McEvoy and Cold Play S Z ahead of Jemma Kirk and the Noel Cawley-bred Loughnatousa Buachail (ISH) in third.

BREEDING
4-year-olds
Cushlas Killanca (ISH) 2021 mare by Kassander Van’t. Roosakker (BWP) out of Kilanca Sep (KWPN) by Vittorio (HOLST) Bred by Christopher Cronin, owned by Michael Pender
Elma Bo (ISH). 2021 mare by Shs Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Manory H (KWPN) by Hernandez Tn Nop.(KWPN) bred by Jack Ryan, owned by Abigail Boland
CSF Castlelawn Emerald (ISH) 2021 stallion by Emerald Van’T Ruytershof (BWP) out of CSF Twilight (ISH) by Voltaire (HANN). bred by Patrick Connolly, owned by Gabriel Slattery.

5-year-olds
Galwaybay Jim (ISH) 2020 gelding by Catoki. (HOLST) Dam Galwaybay Anika (ISH) by Kannan (KWPN) Bred by Justin Burke. Owner John Ryan.
Bp Athena Ii (ISH) 2020 mare by Aganix Du Seigneur Dam: Muze Abby Moyne by Bamako De Muze. Bred by Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables. Owned by Jenny Graham.
CSF Seaview (ISH) 2020 gelding by Verdi (KWPN) Dam: CSF Dolores (ISH) by Ars Vivendi. (HOLST) Bred by Patrick Connolly. Owned by Seaview Stables.

6-Year-olds
Sdf Five Star (ISH) 2019 gelding by Big Star (KWPN). Dam: Lux San (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) bred by Samantha Heaney Fegan, Owned by Carol Gee.
Sumas Lumen (ISH) 2019 mare by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN). Dam Cillmhuire Imp (ISH) by Master Imp (TB). Breeder Susan Lannigan O’Keefe.
Gcs Angelina (ISH) 2019 mare by Aganix Du Seigneur. (ZANG) Dam Gcs Athina (ISH) by Vigo D’Arsouilles.(BWP) Bred by Olivia Brennan. Owned by Tim Brennan.

7&8-year-olds
CSF Thomascourt Zena (ISH) 2018 mare by Zirocco Blue Vdl (SF) Dam: CSF Princess Doorn (ISH) by Prince Des Vaux(SF) Breeder Patrick Connolly
Owner : Annmarie Dunne
Loughnatousa Buachail (ISH) – 2017 Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Sammy Jee by Samgemjee. Breeder: Noel Cawley.