One exhibitor at this week’’s Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show doubled his chances of winning a class — by showing twin filly foals.
The foals made their historic appearance — the first twins to appear in the show’s 134-year history — in the ring on Thursday, 9 August.
The pair are out of the Irish Draught mare King’s Sister, a granddaughter of KingOf Diamonds, by the Sligo-based Thoroughbred Shaandar.
Thelma and Louise, as the fillies have been called, were shown in the class for foals out of registered Irish Draught mares but not by registered Irish Draught stallions.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Their owner, Dermot O’Brien, from Crecora, Co Limerick, told H&H: “They’re good when you’re leading them, but when they’re on their own they’ve plenty of confidence.Normally, foals won’t stray far from their mother, but these two get into all sorts of mischief.”
The pair — who inherited their black colour from their sire — were born on 16 June. Mr O’Brien did not have King’s Sister or “Snowflake” scanned, but her size made him suspect she was carrying twins.
“She was so heavy. I’ve got eight Irish Draught mares and five part-bred Irish Draught and Thoroughbred mares, and in January she was twice the size of the others due to foal in April,” he said.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
A spokesman from the Royal Dublin Show (RDS) said he was “delighted” that the twins competed at the show.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (9 August, 07)
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
