Irish people have a strong infinity for horses and testimony to this is the number of small breeders who continue to breed from quality mares, even when the climate for selling foals is bleak.
Based in Donard, Wicklow, Tommy Deegan is one such example.
Horses may not make you rich, but for Tommy, the joy of breeding is the reward.
Following an accident in April 2004, Tommy’s life changed forever.
He was in a coma for two weeks and wheelchair bound for a further two years. With no hope of ever being able to return to construction work, he began to explore other options.
Tommy and his brother Phil had always been involved with horses in some shape or form. Tommy’s daughter Ashley competed and he took a huge interest in her riding career.
When Ashley went to college, he decided to sell the geldings he had and invest in mares.
“After the accident, there was very little that I could do, both physically and mentally. I had to learn how to walk again. Once I had done this, I needed something to get me up in the morning and something to help me establish a routine.
“If I didn’t have the interest in the horses, there would be little else for me. It has sparked a new passion for me. I follow the breeding lines and research the stallions. Having the mares gives me a purpose. It’s great what is at your fingertips via the internet. I research the breeding lines and can watch the stallions and their progeny jump at the top events and at grass roots.”
New breeding lines
Tommy has now built up a nice selection of quality foundation mares and continues to explore new lines.
He has introduced foreign blood to the stable in order to explore new breeding lines.
Last November he bought, Dowdstown Blue (2018) from James Hoare. The filly is by Zirocco Blue VDL out of Dowdstown Jolie (Numero Uno). He hopes to breed from this filly.
Tommy is a real horseman which allows him to do the early groundwork with his foals.
If you were breeding for money, you may be disappointed. The cost of feeding, vet bills and registration fees are quite expensive and sometimes doesn’t balance out
Tommy explained: “The foals are handled from the start and this makes them easy to manage.
"They need to be able to trust you. I then do the groundwork for the breaking, before getting them backed.
"I firmly believe that handling them early makes the later work easier.
“My daughter Ashley is a very competent rider and her plan is to eventually produce the horses for me. She gave up riding when she went to college to get a degree in psychotherapy. "Before going to college, she won medals in endurance and show jumped up to 1.20m. She hopes to return to the horses in the future.”
For now, he has no plans to increase the brood mares that he has in the stable, but to continue to try new stallions.
“If you were breeding for money, you may be disappointed. The cost of feeding, vet bills and registration fees are quite expensive and sometimes doesn’t balance out. I have been lucky to sell a few, both privately and through Goresbridge sales.
"You need to be careful the amount that you breed as it’s easy to end up with too many. The goal for me, is to see what I have bred go on to compete at the top level and for me to be able to say that I bred that horse,” he admits.
Maxine Of Donard – Bred by Phil Deegan, she is by Grange Bouncer out of Ashley of Donard (Diamond King). She has produced a yearling by Sanford and Son, who is by Scrapman and out of the Clonakilty Hero sired dam, Noreen Ban. Tommy also has a two-year-old by Keamore Diamond Clover. Bred by Biran Sheahan Keamore Diamond Clover was campaigned by Tholm Keane up to 1.30m. Prior to Tommy getting the mare, she produced three offspring, one by Cow Pasture Lad and two with Skipping Grange. This year, Tommy is working the mare under the trap and has chosen not to put her in foal.
Well See – Bred by Phil Deegan, she is by Keamore Diamond Clover out of Sarah of Donard (Welcome Flagmount). She won multiple titles showing in hand. She has one yearling by Gortfree Hero and is now in foal to Kiltealy Silver, who is by Coolcronan Wood and out of the Fast Silver sired dam, Silver Fox.
Grannys Touch – Bought in Goresbridge, Grannys Touch is by Coevers Diamond Boy and out of Rosscarberys Royal Touch (Touchdown). She produced a Quintero filly last year who Tommy named A touch of Quintero and he plans to keep her for breeding. Granny’s Touch is currently in foal to Coupe de Coeur, who stands at the stallion company. Coupe de Couer is by Calido I and out of Adele. Coupe de Coeur finished fifth in the European Championships, was three-time German Champion, has 125 placings in World Cups, Nation Cups and Grand Prix, with 16 of them being first place.
Tommy explained how he ended up using Coupe de Couer: “I had another stallion in mind for the mare, but due to logistical reason, it wasn’t possible to go to the stallion. Someone had suggested the stallion company to me.
"I had read about the stallions and their services in the Farmers Journal and they had appealed to me, so I gave it a go. It was a great move.
"The service they offered was 100%. Kim Wade was extremely helpful as were the staff and the vets. This really worked well for me”.
In the stable, he also has a two-year-old by Yeats out of the Ricardo Z sired dam, Harney’s lady.
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