For many small breeders, quality comes before quantity when it comes to breeding foals. As small businesses breeders need to get the mix right. Two such breeders, Eileen Duggan and Marie Hearty Quigley, have carefully chosen performance mares and matched them with stallions who suit each mare.

As a result, they have bred horses that have gone on to achieve great results in show jumping and eventing at the top level. Breeding of their horses takes place in both Kilcurry and Roche, Co Louth.

The pair have had quality mares with excellent breeding lines over the years. The late Wonnie, was by Puissance and out of Eileen’s mare Cissy.

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She produced Anfi Del Mar (Metropole) and Diamond Cruise Control (Ringfort Cruise), Kilcurry Shutterfly (Sir Shutterfly), Titanium R (Cobra 18) and Ringwood Kenco (Metropole).

Another mare, Jumping Diamond, by Cavalier Royale and out of Keady Diamond, produced Diamond Vechta (by Vechta) and Princess of Monaco (Aldatus Z).

I bought a German horse ‘Cissy’ ridden by Ivan Dalton as a young rider, for the amateurs. She had huge jumping, ability, experience and excellent breeding lines

Although breeding horses is a very important part of Eileen’s life, it is only a very small part of the breeding programme at the farm.

The Co Louth farm is also home to Brendan Hearty’s line of five-star Charolais cows, calf’s and bulls. Eileen is also the sales and marketing manager in LMFM radio.

A well-established amateur rider herself, she knows what is required from a horse to make it to the top level.

This experience along with the knowledge of what training is required, is a major asset to her breeding.

Breeding has been a passion of Eileen’s for many years she recalled “I bought a German horse ‘Cissy’ ridden by Ivan Dalton as a young rider, for the amateurs.

"She had huge jumping, ability, experience and excellent breeding lines.

“However, after a few months of riding, we discovered she was in foal and so it began. Her first foal by Metropole qualified for the Cavan three-year-old Elite Sales and followed through competing in the Eventing circles abroad with Lucy Wheeler. Her mare Wannadou’s off-spring Kilcurry Can-Deaux won the Millstreet 2018 Small Horse Discovery as a four-year old,” she says proudly.

Stallion selection

Like many successful breeders, choosing a stallion does not happen randomly. Their stallion selection is based on whether he would suit the mare.

Duggan explained more. “Selection is also on the stallion’s jumping ability, performance and progeny history. With YouTube and social media, we have easy access to huge information that also helps the deciding factor.

“Thereafter if the young stock is successful you have a chance to try the same stallion again.

We are committed to providing the best of care and handling of each foal to ensure they gain a good start in life

"However, we do keep in mind that the old saying ‘Elvis Presley’s brother never sang’, so is it pot luck,” she laughs

It’s hands-on from the offset for Eileen and she believes that this is an important part in the foal’s early development.

“We are committed to providing the best of care and handling of each foal to ensure they gain a good start in life which is key to their health and attitude.”

Eileen’s daughter Emma, who recently opened her own marketing business, Epic Management, is also on hand to help with the youngsters, as well as show jumping with her horse Tommy.

Producing a star is the next step, Eileen and Marie have chosen top riders to assist them in this next phase. John Floody produces many of their horses and needs little introduction as his impressive show jumping record speaks for itself.

Marie Quigley’s homebred Bronson de Reve was with John as a four-year-old and went on to represent Ireland at the World Young Horse championships and qualified for the final.

A true testimony to John’s commitment and dedication to producing him to the best of his ability.

Annemarie Kellykeen and Olive Clarke also produce some of the young stock.

“Without doubt breeding is challenging and rewarding, especially when following their development in whichever sport they serve,” Eileen explained.

“The market for the smaller breeder and owner is very difficult in the sense that it is hard to showcase your talented animal, to be seen by potential buyers.

"Hopefully this will all change and is changing with the technology of Social Media and You Tube, opening the doors.

“My advice to anyone thinking about breeding is that the key is to have a top mare with huge ability, bloodlines and performance.

"Also, your key qualities must be, to have passion, love, commitment and patience,” she added.