Blarney Castle owner in row over racehorse

A RACEHORSE called Blarney Highwayman was at the centre of a falling out between a horse breeder and Blarney Castle owner Charles Colthurst after the horse won his first race.

Blarney Highwayman won his first race at Kilworth, Co Cork, on March 6, 2010, and suddenly his potential value was being estimated at between €100,000 and €200,000.

Hugo Merry, horse breeder and bloodstock agent of Kilshannig Stud, Rathcormac, Co Cork, testified at Cork Circuit Court yesterday that he retained 60% ownership of the horse while Mr Colthurst had a 40% interest as a result of taking over the fees for the breeding of the animal from about two years before the race.