The All Ireland Irish Draught filly finals are happening in quick succession now.

The first title decided was the three-year-old championship at Bonniconlon.

Bridget Devanney won with her Fast Silver-sired Silver Elm. Judges Jimmy Canavan and Pat Hoare had five entries before them in the final, part of Horse Sport Ireland’s showing championship series. Seamus Sloyan’s Red Robin (Roma Caen Hill Flight) was crowned reserve champion

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Incidentally, the Bonniconlon champion was bred by Seamus’s uncle Raymond and is a full-sister to last year’s Roscommon yearling champion, another owned by Crossmolina owner Bridget Devanney.

Champion

This year’s Roscommon champion is owned by Ballyvourney breeder Sean Scannell, a part-time farmer who also works for Grainger Sawmills in West Cork, buying timber and looking after their forests. “He’s been knocking on the door a few times!” said his son Freddie about his father’s first All Ireland win with their Tors Gentleman Farmer filly, promoted from second to first in the final lineup.

Both she and her Shenandoah Prince Holly dam Knocknashee Princess were bought by Scannel in Charlestown from the late Michael Morris. Scannel also bred the exported Irish Draught stallions Crystal Crest and Millennium Diamond.

Reserve champion from the 12-strong field for the Hannons Hotel/Horse Sport Ireland title was Derek Scott with his Young Carrabawn filly, bred near Ennis by Kevin Bermingham. Third place went to Jimmy Noone with his homebred Tors Gentleman Farmer-Coolcronan Wood filly.

The best-turned-out prize went to Maura Walsh, who placed fourth with her Mountain Diamond filly Lady Molly Ophelia. On hand to watch her claim the award was her father and longtime Draught stalwart Myles Walsh.

Four of the fillies in the John Butler and Denis Dullea-judged final were by Tors Gentleman Farmer, who sired two of the final top-three. His owner Eddie Murphy had also bred Young Carrabawn, standing with Tommy McMahon, the reserve champion’s sire.