A star-studded racing line-up will join forces for this year’s Treo Eile Christmas show at Emerald Equestrian Centre.
Oisin Murphy, Colin Keane, Davy Russell, Nina Carberry, Robbie Power and Paul and Jody Townend, eventing Olympians Sarah Ennis, Sam Watson, Caroline Powell and Austin O’Connor while legendary racehorses Tiger Roll, Al Boum Photo, A Plus Tard are among the guests aligning on Thursday December 12 near Enfield on the Meath / Kildare border.
The Horse Racing Ireland Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic, the feature class on the night, is a team competition to showcase the very best of Ireland's retrained racehorses.
Teams of four will compete in a timed competition. Captained by a jockey, each team will have a professional and amateur rider, who will all ride former racehorses. The fourth team member will be a talented pony rider. Each rider will jump a course of fences followed by a jump-off to decide the winners of the coveted Horse Racing Ireland Perpetual Trophy.
Hosted by Racing TV’s Kevin O’Ryan and Brendan McArdle of The Irish Field, the Christmas show will begin at 12pm with two classes for thoroughbreds: the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd Thoroughbred Discovery 80cm and Connolly's Red Mills Thoroughbred Starfinder 90cm. The young guns will quickly follow in the equuip Pony Christmas Cracker 80cm.
Olympian Sam Watson will take to the ring for a show jumping demo with his thoroughbred, Nominator.
Just before the main event, household favourites Tiger Roll, Al Boum Photo, A Plus Tard and General Principle will be on show in the Moyglare Stud Parade of Champions.
Co-Founder of Treo Eile, Caoimhe Doherty, said: “The Treo Eile Christmas Show is the pinnacle of our year. It is a wonderful event full of fun, friends and most importantly, celebrating the ex-racehorse and showcasing their abilities in a second career.
“It is such a pleasure to bring together so many different sectors of the equestrian community - racing, showjumping, and eventing, all for the good of the horse. We are excited for what will be our fourth annual show and hope to see friends new and old in Emerald Equestrian Centre on Thursday December 12.”
Tickets cost €15 per person, family ticket (two adults, two children) for €40, groups of 10 for €100 and can be bought online
https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/te
Treo Eile Christmas show programme
12pm: The Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd Thoroughbred Discovery
80cm, two-phase class open to 4yo+ thoroughbred horses registered with Weatherbys or equivalent stud book. Prize for the highest placed competitor 18yo and under.
2pm Connolly’s Red Mills Starfinder
90cm, two-phase class open to 4yo+ thoroughbred horses registered with Weatherbys or equivalent stud book. Prize for the highest placed competitor 18yo and under.
3.45pm: equuip Pony Christmas Cracker
80cm, two-phase class format open to ponies up to 14.2hh and children not older than 14 years old on December 31, 2024. Restricted to one pony per child.
5pm: Show jumping demo with Olympian Sam Watson
5.15pm: Moyglare Stud Parade of Champions
Al Boum Photo, Mickah Wallace, Tiger Roll, Tiffany’s Gold, General Principle, A Plus Tard.
6pm: HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic
Celebrity team competition with a host of racing and equestrian stars.
Team 1
ROBBIE POWER, Meath
Georgia de Bromhead, Waterford
Terence White, Dublin
Mia de Bromhead, Waterford
Team 2
DONAGH MEYLER, Kilkenny
India Cox, Kildare
Sue Shortt, Kildare
Jamie Buckley, Meath
Team 3
NINA CARBERRY, Meath
Georgia Queally, Kildare
Stephanie McGlynn, Kildare
Rolline O’Callaghan, Kildare
Team 4
DAVY RUSSELL, Cork
Finn Russell, Cork
Austin O'Connor, Cork
Rachael O'Callaghan, Westmeath
Team 5
PAUL TOWNEND, Cork
Ellen O'Neill, Kildare
Caroline Powell, NZL/UK Based
Louise Duffy, Meath
Team 6
KEVIN MANNING, Kildare
Nancy Lyons, Kilkenny
Louise Lyons, Kilkenny
Heather McKenzie, Tipperary
Team 7
Aine O’Connor, Limerick
Sophie Morrin, Kildare
Sam Watson, Carlow
Jane Davis, Carlow
Team 8
JOSEPH O'BRIEN, Tipperary
Eliza Wardell, Wicklow
Sarah Ennis, Meath
Claire O’Ryan, Kildare
Team 9
SAM EWING, Antrim
Evie Holohan, Kildare
Daragh Byrne, Kildare
Seainin Mahon, Down
Team 10
JODY TOWNEND, Cork
Josh Fitzgerald, Waterford
Patrick Whelan, Wexford
Sofie Walsh, Westmeath
Team 11
OISIN MURPHY, Kerry/UK based
Hannah Horan, Kildare
Sean Monaghan, Kildare
Emma Sweeney, Meath
Team 12
COLIN KEANE, Meath
Nia Webbon, Kildare
Lucca Stubington, Antrim
Sarah Lang, Kilkenny