The Irish Field National Discovery Class for four-year-old horses at Millstreet is close to a pilgrimage for all those interested in the best of Irish sport horse breeding. Twenty-eight worthy contenders participated on the night and the general feeling was that the standard of horses was of the highest calibre. Eight of the starters were called back by the judges Tom Newbery, Mike Florence and Rowland Fernyhough.

During the ridden phase, international riders Pippa Allen (Britain) and Antonio Marius Asoto (Spain) gave each of the eight animals every chance over a shortened track. The riders’ comments proved telling in the end.

The winner was owned and ridden by Linda Courtney. LCC Empty Pockets was purchased from Jim Derwin only four months earlier, and it has to be said his rideability on the night was an example for all. The big athletic chesnut gelding, who is a son of Indoctro, gave a masterful display of jumping, exhibiting scope and technique while all the time remaining relaxed for both Courtney and the Spanish rider. When Antonio Marius Asoto was asked about the horse, he described him as a fantastic animal.

The winner was bred by Charles Pidgeon from Co Westmeath out of the Cruising X Penistone mare Simply Chic, who is also the dam of last year’s National Discovery winner Deep Pockets for Jim Derwin.

After her win, Linda said: “The Discovery is a personal favourite of mine and is the biggest four-year-old class in the country. It’s the normal person’s class where everybody can come and compete. For me, Millstreet is everbody’s show.”

Second place went to Declan Lynch’s Ardnaglass Touch of Quality, a chesnut mare by Out of Touch, bred from an OBOS Quality mare and ridden by Peter Smyth. This mare, who was bred by Tommy Curran from Co Meath, also has Penistone as the sire of the granddam.

Third and fourth places went to Brian Duff from Ashbourne, Co Meath, with the grey gleding BEC Lorenzo, by Livello (out of a Guidam mare), and the bay mare Hashtag, by Luidam (out of a Touchdown mare), respectively.

The business end

There was strong interest by buyers in the pocket after the Discovery Final last Saturday.

Brian Duff told The Irish Horse: “I sold the Livello to Billy Twomey and a half-share in my other finalist to him. This class is brilliant and a wonderful showcase to market your horse. The standard of horses is increasing all the time. The idea of the elite foal sale is progressive and if it takes a year or two to develop, it is worth it.”