Irish-bred Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH) wins Badminton Horse Trials as Wexford’s Lucy Latta claims superb runner-up finish

Badminton 2024 champions Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH), bred in Co Meath by Michael Callery and ridden by Caroline Powell (NZL) (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Irish horses and riders have enjoyed phenomenal success at the 2024 five-star MARS Badminton Horse Trials, which came to a dramatic conclusion today in the UK.  Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH), bred in Co Meath by Michael Callery and ridden by Caroline Powell (NZL), have been crowned 2024 Badminton champions. It was a drama-filled afternoon as the top two riders heading into the final day – Tim Price (NZL) and William Fox Pitt (GBR), both dropped down the final standings after picking up costly show jumping penalties.

Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH) was one of just three horses to jump clear inside the time on the final day to take victory and speaking afterwards to The Irish Horse Board, Michael Callery, the proud breeder of Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH) said:

“I never could have thought the like of this could happen to me. I am thrilled. I sold her as a three-year-old from the yard. I have to say thanks to John Hughes, he was so good to me with the sire Cavalier Royale. It means the world to me. I put a lot into breeding and I try to do the best I can. I love racing and thoroughbreds and to me, winning Badminton is the same as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup.”

Michael Callery explained that Greenacres Special Cavalier, who was one of just three horses to jump clear inside the time on the final day at Badminton. has gained many admirers particularly for her Show Jumping ability.

“Everybody always talked about her Show Jumping and said it was fantastic. I remember Caroline [Powel] telling me that there was some event on in Hickstead that they were schooling her at and Shane Breen loved the mare. He said he would have loved to have bought the mare for her Show Jumping and isn’t that a coincidence.”

Wexford’s Lucy Latta has joined an elite group of Irish riders who have managed to finish on the podium at Badminton. Riding the 13-year-old gelding RCA Patron Saint, Latta had produced the fastest Cross Country time of the day on Saturday, which saw her climb a massive 43 places from her position after Dressage and up and into third place overall. A tough final Show Jumping phase saw clear rounds at a premium, and Latta’s two fences down inside the time saw her climb another place to take runner-up spot at the finish.

It was an outstanding result for Lucy Latta who was competing at Badminton for the very first time. Speaking about her incredible Cross Country round she said:

He [RCA Patron Saint}, is truly one of the great cross-country horses out there. He actually isn’t that fast but he doesn’t pull, he lets me go smoothly to the fences, doesn’t waste time and has the heart of a lion. He doesn’t have two extra gears like a racehorse but he stays galloping. He gave it to me everywhere. He was just unbelievable.’

Meath’s Sarah Ennis also finished inside the top 20, taking 17th place with Grantstown Jackson (ISH)[TIH]. Two Irish-bred horses finished in the top five with Capels Hollow Drift (ISH), bred in Co Clare by Jeanette Glynn and ridden by Tom Jackson (GBR) finishing fifth.

Irish Horse Board Director general Alison Corbally said:

“What a fantastic Badminton 2024 for Irish breeders and Irish riders. Massive congratulations to Meath’s Michael Callery who joins a very elite group of individuals to have bred a Badminton winner. It was also a prenominal performance from Lucy Latta to finish as runner-up and congratulations to Kilkenny-based Richard Ames who is the breeder of RCA Patron Saint. The strength of Irish breeding was shown in the fact that this years Badminton start list contained no less than 28 horses bred in Ireland and congratulations to all of the breeders whose hard work helped to make this happen.”

Badminton 2024 FULL RESULTS

BREEDING – Irish-bred horses at Badminton 2024

Greenacres Special Cavalier (ISH) – 2013 mare by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of Greenacres Touch (ISH) by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Michael Callery (Meath). Rider: Caroline Powell (NZL)

Grantstown Jackson (ISH)[TIH] – 2011 gelding by Clover Brigade (ISH)[TIH] out of Winning Lass (TB) by Right Win (TB)[IRL]. Breeder: Caroline Widger. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL) 

SAP Talisman (ISH)[TIH] – 2011 gelding by Puissance (ISH)[TIH] out of Ali Row (TB)[IRL] by Ali-Royal (TB)[IRL]. Breeder: Rosemary Ponsonby (Tipperary). Rider: Sam Watson (IRL)

Romantic (ISH) – 2012 mare by Cevin Z (ZANG) out of Polly Teapot [ISH] by The Carnival (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Andy Sheehy (Limerick). Rider: Rosie Bradley-Hole GBR)

Poetry in Motion (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Yeats (ISH)[TIH] out of Woodville Soap (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Evelyn Casserly (Laois). Rider: Richard Coney (GBR)

Majas Hope (ISH)[TIH] – 2007 gelding by Porter Rhodes (TB) out of Brown Sue (ISH)[TIH] by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Jack Murphy (Kilkenny). Rider: Pippa Funnell (GBR)

Native Spirit (ISH) – 2009 gelding by Corragarry Cruising Porsch (ISH) out of an unnamed mare. Breeder: David Pickens (Cavan). Rider: Louise Harwood (GBR)

Capels Hollow Drift (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Lucky Crest (ISH)[TIH] by Lucky Gift (TB). Breeder: Jeanette Glynn (Clare). Rider: Tom Jackson (GBR)

Brookfield Inocent (ISH) – 2009 gelding by Inocent (KWNP) out of Shalies Pet (ISH)[TIH] by Kings Servant (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: John Mulvey (Wicklow). Rider: Piggy March (GBR)

CHF Cooliser (ISH)[was Coaliser] – 2010 mare by Womanizer (KWPN) out of Super Spring (ISH) by Ramiro B (BWP). Breeder: Raymond Carroll (Offaly)

Away Cruising (ISH) – 2007 gelding by Cruise On (ISH)[TIH] out of Parklands Princess [ISH] by Able Albert (TB). Breeder: Eamon O’Flaherty (Kildare). Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

Cavalier Crystal (ISH) – 2010 mare by Jack of Diamonds (SWB) out of Cavalier Iris (ISH) by Cavalier Royal (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Horgan, Co Waterford. Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

HD Bronze (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Northern Madera (TB) by Toca Madera (TB). Breeder: Declan Phillips (Antrim) Rider: Harry Mutch (GBR)

A Class Cooley (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Heritage Fortunus (HANN) out of New Years Clover (ISH)[TIH] by Clover Echo (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Norman E Watt (Tyrone). Rider: Wills Oakden (GBR)

Arklow Puissance (ISH)[TIH] – 2011 gelding by Puissance (ISH)[TIH] out of Cruising Jewel (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Michael Byrne (Wicklow). Rider: Wills Oakden (GBR)

Ballycoog Breaker Boy (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Womanizer (KWPN) out of Ballycoog Bonnie (ISH)[TIH] by Bonnie Prince (TB). Breeder: Louise M Godkin (Wicklow). Rider: Will Rawlin (GBR) 

SRS Kan Do (ISH) – 2010 gelding by VDL Arkansas (KWPN) out of La Vie En Rose (ISH) by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Michael Donner (Westmeath). Rider: Kylie Roddy (GBR)

 KND Steel Pulse (ISH)[was MGH Carver Doone] – 2011 gelding by Tinaranas Inspector (WESTF) out of Lady Lux. (ISH) by Olympic Lux (KWPN). Breeder: Kevin Daly (Cork). Rider: Tom Rowland (GBR)

Class Affair (ISH)[was BGS Class Affair] – 2009 gelding by OBOB Quality 004 (OLD) out of Ruby’s Rosshaven Flight [ISH] by Laughtons Flight (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Maurice O’Brien (Kilkenny). Rider: Zara Tindall (GBR)

Monbeg Exclusive (ISH) – 2011 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Colen Mo Chroi (TB) by High Roller (TB). Breeder: Noel O’Brien (Tipperary). Rider: Max Warburton (GBR)

Diamond Sundance (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Sunny Boy (KWPN) out of KEC Costello Diamond [ISH] by Glidawn Diamond (ID) Breeder: William Kennedy (Kerry). Rider: India Wishart (GBR)

Cooley Lafitte (ISH)[was Kilcorig Je Taime] – 2012 gelding by Je T’aime Flamenco (BWP) out of Graf Shenanigans (ISH) by Scirocco D’Elle (ENCI). Breeder: Nigel Jackson (Antrim). Rider: Jesse Campbell (NZL)

CBI Aldo (ISH) – 2015 gelding by Goodluck VDL (KWPN) out of KMS Eclipse (ISH) by Ramon (KWPN). Breeder: Raymond Carrol, Co Offaly. Rider: Caroline Powell (NZL)

Copper Beach (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Cloverballen (ISH). Breeder: Paddy Daly (Offaly) Rider: Bruce Davidson Jnr. (USA)

Morswood (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Princess in Arms (ISH)[TIH] by Present Arms (TB). Breeder: John Doherty (Louth). Rider: Alexandra Knowles (USA)

Game Changer (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cassidee (SWB) out of Stormchaser (TB) by Titus Livius (TB). Breeder: Liam Webb (Carlow). Rider: Grace Taylor (USA)

Kilcannon Ramiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Flick Princess (ISH)[TIH] by Kildalton King (ID). Breeder: Mary Bolger. Rider: Darragh Byrne (IRL)

Heartbreaker Star Quality (ISH) – 2011 mare by Boswell MR Heartbreaker (ISH) out of Killard Quality (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (ISH). Breeder: Cora Horan. Rider: Libby Seed.