Farewell to champions

Farewell to two true equine champions. Ballypatrick Esperansa, the horse which launched the career of Tipperary show jumper Greg Broderick, passed away while Power Blake, the 2005 Croker Cup champion, was euthanised recently.

Ballypatrick Esperansa was by Cavalier Royale out of a Cruising dam and the 17-year-old gelding was a winner of several Irish Horse Board young horse classes, and went on to win at national Grand Prix level for owner Austin Broderick.

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Power Blade was a winner at Dublin for his former Wexford owner Paddy Byrne and the thoroughbred was selected in 2010 by Nina Barbour and Oliver Townend as the foundation stallion at Harthill Stud. The 24-year-old stallion, by Fine Blade, produced a variety of winners including the US export and ISH show jumping series winner, Shantonagh and the three-star eventers BGS Juicy Fruit and Power Line.

His numerous show winners included the 2009 Dublin supreme hunter champion Woodfield Indo; the 2012 Pembroke Cup champion Mr Fox and dual All Ireland youngstock champion Springfield Rondo.

Hunting events

THE Kilkenny Hunt are hosting their point-to-point at Kilbline on Sunday 28 February 2016. The Tipperary Foxhounds have issued a reminder about their Side Saddle Day, followed by their legendary Hunt Ball, on Saturday 27 February 2016.

The Meet is taking place in Cloneen, and there will be a stirrup cup in the grounds of Friarsgrange, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Tomas Ronan. The Tipps look forward to welcoming guests and their partners. Booking forms and fees are now due so please visit their Facebook page for latest updates.

Curragh honours Panther

THE Curragh racecourse will stage a race to honour the memory of Brown Panther this year. The listed race over 12 furlongs will take place on Sunday 9 October 2016.

The success of Brown Panther – bred by legendary soccer star Michael Owen and owned in conjunction with Andrew Black of Chasemore Farm, in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger – was one of the highlights of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend in 2014. The horse was fatally injured in the race in 2015.