Lady leads the field

A young filly’s team lands an emotional win, Irish Draughts retain titles and a novice Connemara exceeds expectations

- BETHAN SIMONS

PHILIPPA SCOTT couldn't hold back the tears as champion filly, Chelis HC Z three-year-old Frenchfort Kildysart Lady (Fiadh) was called forward supreme young horse. Fiadh - bred by Gerard Grace and owned by his friend Patrick Finn - is produced by Tiernan Gill.

Tiernan usually shows her himself, but underwent open heart surgery six weeks earlier.

"It was my aim to show her here, but to give her the best chance, I asked Philippa to step in; I couldn't think of anyone better."

Philippa said: "Tiernan is a very close family friend – my father showed horses for his father so it was a full-circle moment after a challenging few weeks for Tiernan.

"My mother passed away 10 years ago and on big days like this her absence is felt even more."

During Fiadh's time with Tiernan, she's accumulated impressive results winning the All Ireland championship for yearlings – a feat recently matched by her full sister – and two-year-olds, and she won here as a yearling, too.

"She's the most gorgeous animal; a real pleasure," said Tiernan, who is in the process of backing her. "We have lots of options as she does jump too, so we could go down that route, or we might try the ridden hunters, and eventually she will be a broodmare for Pat. He's had lots of offers for her but he's holding on to her."

The reserve young horse and winner of the coveted Pembroke Cup for the supreme home-bred went home with Aidan Williamson's three-year-old KLF Robinhood (Alfie), sired by Jack The Robin out of Ballard Jewel. He won the three-year-old lightweights, and both the three-year-old and traditional-bred championships en route. His dam is a full sister to three Dublin champions and was a winner herself in 2022 when Alfie – who has gained five wins of five outings this term – was her foal at foot. “It’s always so special to win in Dublin but to do it with a home-bred is a feeling like no other,” said Aidan.

“HE WHO DARES WINS”