A BADMINTON TO REMEBER FOR TOMMIE

Another achievement accomplished at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is that of revered Irish breeder, Tommie Brennan, whose Coolgrange House Stud is responsible for no less than four of this year’s contenders.

Coolgrange House Stud was the home of the late Irish Thoroughbred sire Political Merger who has three progeny competing in this year’s competition including Tommie’s own homebred, Coolgrange Merger (no 77), the ride of Tony Warr (GBR) (pictured), as well as Political Mandate (no 53) the ride of Carlos Paro (BRA) and Political Trump (no 37) the ride of British first-timer Matthew Prior. The connection however carries on as Coolgrange Merger’s dam, Coolgrange Diamond, is also the dam of the stallion Furisto’s Diamond who is the sire of Rathmoyle King (93) the ride of Carolyne Ryan-Bell (GBR).

All four horses have completed the cross-country, and all have jumped clear to delight Tommie who was persuaded to come to Badminton for the very first time, despite it being the busiest time of the year for the stud that stands six stallions including the Thoroughbred Cut The Mustard, as well as  the homebred sport horse sires Furisto’s Diamond and Furisto’s Trump.  

“We intend to enjoy our time here,” said Tommie’s son, Liam Brennan. “It is easy to lose contact with horses and tracing them is not easy so it is great when owners, like Tony keep in touch – we haven’t seen Coolgrange Merger since he was three and he left the stud when he was bought by Tony.”

As he was considered too big for the flat, Political Merger was never put in training and was bought by Tommie who sent him for his performance test under Robert Splaine, chef d’equipe of the Irish show-jumping team. The stallion, who also sired many successful show horses, died at the age of 14 from laminitis. There are however more Political Merger’s in the pipeline including one owned by Tony, a veterinary surgeon from Kent, who is out of a mare by Furisto’s Diamond.