Climbing the ranks

Irish sires feature prominently in the latest global World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings, writes

fresh and ready to aim for the World Equestrian Games in the US next September.

Levett thinks a lot of ‘Womble’ who he says “has the typical Master Imp stamp in his overall look and in particular his head. He also has the Master Imp cheekiness and talent in equal measure.” “He’s quirky and not everyone’s cup of tea but he has the heart of a lion.

“I am a big fan of Irish horses — most of them in my barn are Irish blood horses. They have stamina, jump and step and above all blood and heart. Some of my best horses have been Irish, including Improvise and my up and coming young horse Lassban Diamond Lift, who is by Easy Lift.” Improvise will aim for Lumhuhlen CCI**** star in the spring and some CIC*** runs and has an outside chance of WEG selection.

Master Imp finished the year on 701 FEI points, while Jaguar Mail was a fraction ahead on 761. Contendro I finished on 1,185 points calculated from FEI results between October 2016 and September 2017.

The UK-based Jaguar Mail is Selle Francais but carries over 75pc thoroughbred breeding and has sired such international performers as Michael Jung’s multiple champion Fischer Takinou and Harry Meade’s promising stallion Tenareze.

The former Irish-based stal- lion Ramiro B and the Irish Sport Horse Puissance fill fourth and fifth on the leaderboard, with Heraldik (6th), Lux (7 th) and Cruising (8th) next on the list.

While standing in Ireland Ramiro B sired no fewer than 400 foals, and these include his most successful offspring at four-star level, Ballynoecastle RM.

Bred in Wexford by Sylvester Cullen and ridden throughout