Irish breeders shine in USA and Middle East

Irish-bred horses have enjoyed a strong start to 2026, with a string of impressive results on the opening week of international competition in the United States and in The Middle East.

Francis Derwin and Flexi K (ISH)

Athlone’s Francis Derwin and the Knightfield Stud-bred gelding Flexi K (ISH) produced one of just two double clear rounds, to finish as runners-up in Saturday’s $120,000 three-star Grand Prix at Ocala in Florida. Their clear jump-off time of 37.04 seconds saw them finish just over a tenth of a second behind American winner Carlee McCutcheon with Aralyn Blue. Derwin and Flexi K (ISH) had finished third in the Grand Prix qualifier earlier this week.

Kinmar Quality Hero (ISH) and Tanner Korotkin (USA)

The 13-year-old gelding Kinmar Quality Hero (ISH), bred in Co Monaghan by Gerrard Marron at Kinmar Stud and ridden by Tanner Korotkin (USA), claimed a third place finish in Saturday night’s $140,000 three-star Grand Prix at WEF, while victory went to Spain’s Gonzalo Busca Roca aboard Cristiano Obolensky.

Irish-bred horses continued their superb start to 2026, by filling two of the top five places in Saturday’s five-star 1m60 Grand Prix at Doha in Qatar. Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke (ISH), bred by in Co Monaghan by Gerrard Marron, was ridden to a fourth place finish by Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj.
ESI Rocky (ISH), bred in in Kilkenny by Ennisnag Stud, finished fifth with Monaco’s Anastasia Nielsen with both Irish-bred horses jumping double clear. Victory went to Britain’s Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson.

The Irish-bred Wathman Quality Street (ISH), bred by Ciara Marron and ridden by Qatar’s Faleh Suwead Al Ajami, took fourth place in Friday’s 1m45 speed class at the five-star show in Doha, Qatar. Victory went to Britain’s Millie Allen and Quick Diamant HR.

BREEDING
Flexi K (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Flex A Bill (ISH)[TIH] out of Deeply Dippy K (ISH) by Luidam (KWPN). Breeder: Knightfield Stud, Co. Kildare.

Kinmar Quality Hero (ISH) – 2013 gelding by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) out of Magician Hero (ISH) by Moujik De Sohan (SBS). Breeder: Gerrard Marron. Owner: Sandalwood Farms. Rider Tanner Korotkin (USA).

Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke (ISH) 2015 Gelding. by O-piloth. Dam: Absolutely Kingmar Z by Aganix Du Seigneur. Breeder Gerrard Marron.

ESI Rocky (ISH) 2015 gelding by Stakkato Gold (HANN) out of Clonaslea (BWP) by For Pleasure (HANN) Breeder: Ennisnag Stud.

Wathman Quality Street (ISH) {AKA Quality Street} 2011 mare by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Coirban Lady Lux (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) bred by Ciara Marron. Ridden by Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (QAT).