Class 1

Cappa Aristocrat

Won the overall Irish Draught Stallion Championship three times (2017, 2019, and 2022), earning him a “triple crown” status among Irish Draught stallions. This is a rare achievement and places him among the elite in the breed.

He was shown by Seamus O’Neill and was owned by James Quinn of Cappa Stud, a leading name in Irish Draught breeding.

His wins were in highly competitive classes, often with maximum entries, which speaks to his exceptional conformation, movement, and breed type.

Class 1

Goldsmith Country Ma Belle

Prolific show winner in Ireland, including multiple Supreme Championships.

Twice placed in the mare class at the Dublin Royal Show, one of the most prestigious events for Irish Draughts.

Known for her lovely temperament, strong conformation, and presence – qualities highly valued in breeding programs.

She was bred in Ireland by Denis O’Brien of Goldsmith Country Stud. Her full brother, Scrapboy (2017), is an approved Class 1 Irish Draught stallion standing at Drumhowan Stud, Ireland. He secured reserve champion in the Irish Draught Stallion class at the 2023 Dublin Horse Show.

Class 1

Star Kingdom

Star Kingdom descends from Annaghdown Star and King Elvis, both highly influential Irish Draught sires, and carries the blood of Pride of Shaunlara and King of Diamonds –two of the most important names in the breed.

A “sire of sires” due to his exceptional ability to pass on desirable traits through multiple generations, Star Kingdom’s offspring were not just good – they were breeding quality. Among his most notable sons is Cappa Aristocrat, a triple champion at the Dublin Horse Show.

His daughters are also highly valued as broodmares, meaning his influence extends through both sire and dam lines.

Star Kingdom reliably passed on correct conformation, bone, and temperament, which are essential for both purebred Irish Draughts and Irish Sport Horses.

Class 1

Annaghdown Star

A dominant show stallion in the 1990s, holding one of the highest records in the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) stallion class.

He was Champion three times and Reserve Champion twice in the Irish Draught Stallion class at the Royal Dublin Show.

These wins made him one of the most influential and celebrated Irish Draught stallions of his era.

Bred by Martin Conneely, He sired over 229 registered offspring (likely more unregistered), many of which became champions across Ireland, the UK, and the USA.

Annaghdown Star combined exceptional conformation, movement, and temperament, making him a cornerstone sire for both purebred Irish Draughts and Irish Sport Horses.

His success in the show ring and as a sire cemented his reputation as one of the breed’s greats.

RID

King of Diamonds

An Grade A showjumper in Ireland, he competed successfully in open competition during an era when Irish jumping tracks were less technical than today.

He earned his Grade A status through consistent performance, though his fame comes more from his breeding influence than from a decorated show career.

Ranked 21st in the World Breeding Rankings (1992–2001) based on the success of his progeny in international showjumping.

Bred by Tom O’Neill, he sired hundreds of registered progeny and many approved stallion sons or grandsons, including:

• Special Envoy (Rodrigo Pessoa) – 2nd in World Cup Final, Olympic competitor.

• Millstreet Ruby (John Ledingham) – top-level showjumper.

• Mill Pearl (Joe Fargis) – 7th at Seoul Olympics, 4th in World Cup Final.

His bloodlines dominate the Irish Sport Horse studbook and remain highly influential in eventing and showjumping worldwide.

RID

Pride of Shaunlara

Pride of Shaunlara was exhibited at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Horse Show as late as 1988 at 19 years old, which speaks to his longevity and soundness.

He was widely recognised as a Champion stallion during his active years and was considered one of the “Big Three” Irish Draught sires, alongside King of Diamonds and Clover Hill.

These three stallions dominate modern Irish Draught pedigrees known for producing versatile, athletic, and good-tempered horses suitable for show jumping, eventing, and hunting.

RID

Merrion

Like many stallions of his era, Merrion was primarily valued as a breeding stallion rather than a performance horse.

Merrion sired several notable offspring, including:

• Tullagh Irelands Glory (appears in modern pedigrees, including Greystone Aristocrat’s dam line).

• Silver Sam and Leabeg Lady, among others.

Merrion’s influence is primarily genetic, helping to maintain bone, substance, and temperament in the breed.

He is part of the foundation stock that shaped the modern Irish Draught horse.

Class 1

Scrapman

Scrapman is by Crosstown Dancer, one of the most influential Irish Draught sires, known for producing athletic, correct, and rideable horses.

His dam line includes Kildalton Gold and Pride of Shaunlara, both famous for passing on bone, substance, and temperament – traits highly valued in broodmares.

Scrapman was shown in the Irish Draught Stallion Class at the Dublin Horse Show, one of the most prestigious classes for the breed. He appeared in the RDS Stallion Parade in 2013, alongside other top stallions like Cappa Cassanova and Gortfree Hero. However, it’s his broodmare influence where he triumphs.

Breeders report that Scrapman “stamps his stock” with depth, good girth, and strong limbs – qualities that make his daughters excellent broodmares for producing both purebreds and Irish Sport Horses.

His daughters tend to have good feet, strong joints, and correct conformation, which are critical for long-term soundness in breeding programs.

Class 1

Crosstown Dancer

Crosstown Dancer was a Class 1 Irish Draught stallion who competed successfully at Grand Prix level show jumping under rider Dermot Lennon.

He was known for his scope, carefulness, and rideability, making him one of the few Irish Draught stallions to reach this level in modern sport.

Crosstown Dancer became a leading sire of performance horses, producing:

• International show jumpers: Lismon Dance, Cairnhill Surprise.

• Top eventers: Lion Dancer (CCI4*), Killard Enigma (CIC3*).

He was twice named Sire of the Year at HOYS (Horse of the Year Show) in 2018 and 2019, recognising his enormous contribution to sport horse breeding.

His progeny dominated the show hunter scene in the UK and Ireland:

• Loughkeen Dancing Lord – 4-time HOYS Heavyweight Hunter Champion (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) and RIHS Champion in 2010.

• Other winners include Lord John, Orions Cruiser, Sir Flint, and Castlerock.