Horses killed during Storm Darwin
One of the horses was purchased late last year for over €500,000.
“It was a major shock to us all — for staff, everyone,” said David Ryan, manager of Kilfrush Stud outside Knocklong, where five fillies lost their lives during the storm.
It is understood the horses were in a paddock when a cable snapped and the electric current travelled along the ground, killing the five yearlings instantly.
One of those who died was a filly by superstar sire New Approach, bought last November by Kilfrush Stud for more than 400,000 guineas (€510,000).
“It was devastating for us,” Mr Ryan explained. “The filly is by New Approach. It’s so hard to breed that stallion, to get a nomination to that stallion. They don’t come on the market very often — usually they are snapped up by Sheikh Mohammed, who owns New Approach.
“We were intent on getting her as a potential broodmare for Kilfrush. We are building up. There is a Qatari owner now and we are trying to build up a quality broodmare band.
You just can’t get them – they are a real commodity already. He had three Group One winners in his first crop,” continued Mr Ryan.
The five yearlings who died had “loads of potential”, he added.
The 300-acre Kilfrush Stud was sold last August for an undisclosed sum to Mr Ryan of Aran Bloodstock, representing Qatari interests.
Mr Ryan manages the racing and breeding interests of Qatari Mubarak al-Naemi, who owns high-class sprinter Hamza and the 2012 Royal Lodge Stakes third Al Waab.
In 1970, US president Richard Nixon stayed at Kilfrush House.
