Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series Final at the Royal Meath Show
On a slightly Autumnal day at the Royal Meath Show, the final of the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series took place. Since May, combinations have travelled the length and breadth of Ireland trying to qualify for this prestigious final. With over €2,000 in the prize fund for the final, there was great excitement in the build up. The show, based just outside Trim, had a beautiful backdrop with the rings situated just below Trim Castle.
The unenviable task of judging the final fell on the shoulders of two competent horsewoman, Sarah Collen, the only lady jockey to win the Galway Plate and a recognised judge in Ireland and the UK, and Julie Donaghy Simpson, retainer of racehorses, show judge and a former member of the Treo Eile Advisory Committee. The high standard of horses being presented year on year was acknowledged by both judges and this is down to the dedication of the owners and retrainers who take the time to transition these horses into their second career.
In the Novice section, for horses in their first two years of competition, there were nine combinations who took to the ring vying to impress the judges. Catching their eye from the beginning was the big bay gelding, Slievenamon John ridden by Sabrina Harty who qualified at the Tattersalls July Show. His presence and manners in the ring were admired and the eight year old by Waldpark was crowned the winner of the class. Though he ran seven times on the track, six of which were under Harty’s licence his potential racing career was cut short, “he showed a lot of ability for racing but was very unlucky to go wrong of his wind and develop allergies” Harty explained. When the owner offered Harty him she jumped at the chance, “I’d already lightly hunted him twice and hunter trialled him for his confidence while he was in training so he was half made!” John has been brought on with the view to Harty’s daughter taking over the reins, “at 17.2hh he’s quite a step up for her, she’s only 13, but she has ridden him at home and away schooling and because he is so balanced he gives you an exceptional ride, she just keeps grinning and giggling when on him!”
Taking second place was the Cheveley Park Stud owned A Plus Tard and Emily Kate Robinson. Though only in his first season in the show ring, the combination have already built a strong partnership, with Robinson doing flat work on some of the racehorses in Henry de Bromhead’s yard regularly prior to this season. The 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, is only five months out of training and has managed to compete at the Dublin Horse Show, place 2nd at the Balmoral Show as well as qualifying for the Dressage Ireland National Championships taking place this weekend. “He has an amazing attitude to work and has adapted to his new lifestyle so quickly.”
The Open section was equally well contested with ten combinations taking to the ring. This section showcased horses who have more experience in their second careers with some having competed in the Novice section of the series in previous years. With more expected of these combinations, judge Julie Donaghy Simpson rode each horse assessing its rideability and manners as well as asking them to show some lengthened strides – a real treat for spectators around the ring! With no change from the initial line up, Tiffany’s Gold and Jane Davis were able to go one better than their second place in last year’s novice final and take home the top spot! The striking steel grey gelding showed exemplary manners and an incredible gallop to impress both judges. The combination have had a fruitful season, they kicked off the year by winning the Treo Eile sponsored class at the Stepping Stones to Success final in Wexford Equestrian and have added numerous Working Hunter wins and placings throughout the year. “I am beyond thrilled with the result, I had zero expectations taking on the open company which has made it even better,” a delighted Davis exclaimed. “Mossy truly is my horse of a lifetime, I never imagined I’d be having this much fun and doing so many new things and that’s all thanks to Treo Eile.”
Tiffany’s Gold was originally retrained by Sarah Neville before Davis took on the ride, so the story was made sweeter when Neville was pulled in second on her mount, Limekiln Rock. The gelding by Doyen ran seven times on the track when trained by Mouse Morris before taking to the show ring. “I actually rode him out in Mouse’s and I always knew he’d be suited to this after his racing career. He’s still kept at the yard so I see him every day at work.” Another graduate of the Novice section of this series, where they finished in third place at last year’s final.
A huge thank you must go to Tattersalls Ireland for their generous sponsorship of the series again this year. Their continuous support to the aftercare of racehorses is highlighted again this year and is hugely appreciated by the thoroughbred community.
