Huge medal haul for Irish horses and riders at Le Lion Eventing Young Horse World Championships
Ireland’s position as one of the leading nations in world eventing was once again enhanced this weekend, with a brilliant medal haul of one gold, two silver and a bronze medal from the six medals on offer at the 2025 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Angers in France.
Newcastle Co Dublin-based Ian Cassells enjoyed a prenominal weekend in Le Lion, taking a silver and a bronze medal to add to the European Championship team silver medal he won earlier this year at Blenheim Palace in the UK.
Cassells and the Eugene McEntee-bred Rutland Flamenco (ISH) claimed the silver medal in the 6-year-old competition after a clear final show jumping round which saw them finish on a final score of 28.9, less than a fence behind Belgian gold medal winner Lara De Liedekerke and Tara Van Het Leliehof. The bronze medal went to Tykillen Tango (ISH) who was bred in Ireland by Ciara Kinsella and ridden by Hallie Coon (USA), while fourth place was filled by another Irish-bred horse in Monbeg Condor (ISH), bred by John Flynn and ridden by Max Warburton (GBR).
Speaking after his silver medal win, a delighted Ian Cassels said:
“It’s been an amazing week. The mare [Rutland Flamenco] tried so hard for me all week from day one and I couldn’t be more happy with her. We got her in the West of Ireland from Niall Daly. We only got her at the start of this year and produced her quite slowly and every time she has run she got more and more competitive and more comfortable – she keeps trying for me. “
Aoife Clark (IRL) and Lislee Honey (ISH), who was bred in Co Cork by Charles Dullea finished just outside the top 10 in 11th place, while HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) bred by Jag Equestrian in Co. Kildare finished 12th with Harry Horgan (IRL).
The 7-year-old competition saw even more Irish success, with a superb Gold medal win for Brookfield Danny De Muze (ISH) who was bred in Co Meath by Donal Callery and ridden by Britain’s Tom McEwen.
Lying second coming into the final jumping phase, a perfect clear from Brookfield Danny de Muze (ISH) saw the gelding overtake Belgium’s Lara De Liedekerke and Helios who finished with the silver. Ireland’s Ian Cassel’s, who had earlier taken the silver medal in the 6-year-old competition, added to his medal haul when he guided Noa W to the bronze medal spot on the podium. Three Irish-bred horses finished inside the top-10 with Patrick Byrne partnering Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH), bred by Noel Ruane in Co. Sligo to an 8th place finish, while the Billy Daly-bred Newmarket Amy (ISH) finished 10th with Kevin McNab (AUS).
Irish Horse board Director General Alison Corbally commented:
“This result once again confirms Ireland as a world leader in the breeding and production of Eventing horses. For Irish horses and riders to win four of the six medal on offer in Le Lion is a fantastic result and just reward for the hard work and dedication of Irish breeders, owners and riders and I congratulate each and every one of them.”
BREEDING
2025 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses, Le Lion D’Angers (FRA)
6-year-olds
2nd Rutland Flamenco (ISH). Mare by Casallco (HOLST) out of Red Flamenco (ISH), by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Eugene McEntee, Co. Down, owned by Patrick (Dick) Murphy, and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL).
3rd Tykillen Tango (ISH) 2019 gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of Lisdara Impish Lady (ISH)(TIH) by Master Imp (TB) bred by Ciara Kinsella ridden by Hallie Coon (USA)
4th Monbeg Condor (ISH) 2019 gelding by Condios (HOLST) out of Little Diamond (ISH) by Diamond Valley Gold (ISH) bred by John Flynn ridden by Max Warburton (GBR)
11th Lislee Honey (ISH). Mare by Lagans OBOS Quality (ISH) out of Lislee Beauty (ISH), by Kasmayo (TB). Bred by Charles Dullea, Co. Cork, and owned and ridden by Aoife Clark (IRL).
12th HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) (was JAG Lovestory). Gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Salut Flamenco (ISH) by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Jag Equestrian, Co. Kildare, owned by Fiona O’Hara and Harry Horgan and ridden by Harry Horgan (IRL).
7-year-olds
1st Brookfield Danny de Muze (ISH) 2018 gelding by I’m Special de Muze (BWP) out of Gortglas Sparrow (ISH) by Ashfield Bobby Sparrow (CP) bred by Donal Callery, ridden by Tom McEwen
8th Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH). Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Castle Roller Coaster (ISH), by High Roller (ISH). Bred by Noel Ruane, Co. Sligo, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Paddy Byrne (IRL).
10th Newmarket Amy (ISH) 2018 mare by Newmarket Jewel (WESTF) out of Sanforized (IRE) by Catcher in the Rye (TB) bred by Billy Daly ridden by Kevin McNab (AUS)