March award goes to Co Clare breeder

By Quentin Doran-O`Reilly

The late Dermot Joyce would have been a very proud man if he had seen Moscow Flyer win the Queen Mother Champion Chase Grade I at Cheltenham last March.

And he would have been even prouder knowing that his nephew. Edward Joyce, Summerhill House, Meelick, Co. Clare bred the 1994 bay gelding by Moscow Society (USA) out of Meelick Lady (IRE) by Duky).

For Meelick Lady is out of Dermot`s mare Quiet Life which he left to Edward on his passing.

This achievement at Cheltenham made the choice of our March Award winner a lot easier to make for our judging panel of Clare Kehoe, Weatherbys, chairman; John O`Sullivan, Irish Horse; Anthea Smyth, NI breeder, Wexford breeder Jim Mernagh and bloodstock agent John Walsh.

They had no bother making up their minds in giving it to Edward and Clare Joyce. While Edward runs the family farm and a meat business, the hard work of looking after the horses falls to wife Clare. While Clare likes the thoroughbreds she also likes Sport Horses and keeps a couple of broodmares.

This love harks back to her hunting days and is always hoping to produce the perfect jumper. Edward and Clare have three daughters and one son who will be there to carry on what has become a family tradition.

Both Edward and his uncle Dermot thoroughly enjoyed their Point-to-Pointing days especially with Quiet Life which won a few as well as some hurdle races with the now great Racing Commentator Ted Walsh in the saddle.

In fact it was Tommy Wade who helped Dermot to buy Quiet Life at the Ballsbridge Sales and went on to have many successes with the horse.

Tommy is, of course, more associated with the small jumper Dundrum and as Chef d`Equip of the successful Irish jumping teams.

Another man that has had a big part in Edward`s breeding success is Tom Costello of "Best Mate" fame. In the early years Tom took on two of Quiet Life`s fillies which each went on to win the Gain Mares finals twice and other races.

Moscow Flyer is the second foal from the mare Meelick Lady (IRE) by Duky out of Quiet Life by No Argument. This fifteen year old has had five foals and only last week produced another filly by Luso (GB).

A full sister to Moscow Flyer (IRE) born in April 1999 was sold at the Fairyhouse Derby Sale last year for €215,000 to Timmy Hyde. The filly was consigned by Coolamurray Stud in Enniscorthy acting as Agents. Meelick Lady`s other named progeny Meelick Lass by Over The River has not raced. Edward has two other mares from the same family.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase was worth STG£145,000 to owner Brian Kearney. Moscow Flyer was trained by Jessica Harrington at Moone, Co. Kildare and was bought as a four year old by the Harringtons at the Fairyhouse Derby Sale in 1998 for IR£17,000 gns.

At Cheltenham Moscow Flyer was piloted by Barry Geraghty who was the top jockey at the Festival with five winners. While this was an excellent win by Moscow Flyer he also won last year`s Arkle at Cheltenham and he remains unbeaten over fences in completed starts.

He was 7/4 favourite for the race and was regarded as the Irish Banker at the Festival meeting. At the time of going to press his next run was at the Punchestown Festival in the BMW Chase on Tuesday.

He has won over €800,000 in win and place money running 28 times and winning 16 races which includes wins in 13 Graded races. Moscow Flyer has been successful over both Hurdles and Fences winning amongst others The Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in May 2000, The Shell Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in April 2001 (transferred from Punchestown), The Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase at Leopardstown December 2001, The Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April 2002.