State Papers: Haughey 'embarrassed' over gift of 'very poor standard' thoroughbreds

Charlie Haughey — a well-known horse enthusiast — was initially delighted at the offer of the gift of the seven thoroughbred animals by West Virginia-based businessman, Vincent Melzac.

Taoiseach Charles Haughey was literally forced to look a gift horse in the mouth – or seven animals to be exact – after pedigree Arabian thoroughbreds presented to the State by a wealthy US donor were found upon close examination to be “of a very poor standard.” 

Details of the embarrassing incident in 1989 were released in State papers made available by the National Archives.