The medal-winning showjumper who helped launch Bertram Allen’s career has retired from the sport aged 15.
Molly Malone V took the Irishman from juniors to his first senior championships, with numerous grands prix wins along the way.
The grey mare was spotted by Bertram’s father Bert as a five-year-old and he bought her for Billy Twomey and Anthony Condon to produce.
Bertram took on the ride three years later and the pair went on to win individual silver at the 2013 junior European Championships in Spain.
The following year, when Bertram was only 18, the pair received the call-up for their first senior championships — the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, where they finished seventh individually.
“Molly propelled me to the top of our sport at a very young age, and for that, I will be eternally grateful,” said Bertram.
“We now look forward to the future where Molly will enter a new era of her career as a breeding mare.”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Teenage Irish showjumper Bertram Allen reports back from the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Las Vegas
In 2015, they finished third in the World Cup final in Las Vegas and the same year were part of the Irish side at the European Championships in Aachen, where they finished 16th.
The mare’s career highlights also include grands prix wins in Lummen, Dublin, Verona, Dinard, Stockholm and Geestern, as well as numerous appearances across the world on Nations Cup teams and the Global Champions Tour.
A statement on Bertram’s website added that Molly has been “absolutely outstanding” throughout her career.
“[She has been] a favourite among the public and her grooms, particularly Marleen Schanwell who has been with her on every step of her incredible journey,” it added. “There is no doubt that she will be missed in the ring.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
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
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
