Badminton Champion Paulank Brockagh Welcomes First Foal
Badminton champion, Paulank Brockagh, welcomes her first foal into the world!
Paulank Brockagh, otherwise known as ‘Brocks’, won Badminton in 2014 with Australia’s Sam Griffiths. Now adding another accolade to her belt, she safely delivered a her first filly on Wednesday (19 May).
A filly destined to walk in footsteps of success, she was born in the exact same stable as her mother was 18-years ago.
The filly was sired by thoroughbred, Centennial (Dalakhani x Lure), who ran successfully on the Flat for British racehorse trainer, John Gosden. The stallion had many successful placings with wins and placings among Group races, and spent a season with Jonjo O’Neill, Irish National Hunt racehorse trainer and former jockey. With proven speed and stamina, Centennial is now standing at John Varley’s Coolin House Stud in Co. Galway, Ireland.
Brocks’ lines (Touchdown x Triggerero) with an outstanding eventing career is sure to make a mark on her filly too. Starting out in Ireland under Joseph Murphy, Daryll Walker and Heidi Hamilton, she then joined Australian Olympic eventer, Sam Griffiths, where her career took off.
Sam and ‘Brocks’ made their first notable move in the eventing world in 2010. Competing at the seven-year-old World Championships at Le Lion, they placed 8th in the field.
The mare is best known for her phenomena record at Badminton though. Just one of just five mares to have won Badminton in its 70-year-plus history, she completed the world-renowned, five-star event, six times in a row, from 2013 to 2018.
On top of this striking eventing record, Sam and Brocks have competed at the competing at the 2014 World Equestrian Games and 2016 Rio Olympics. At the Olympics, the pair lead the Team Australia to bronze, finishing fourth individually. Seventh place at Luhmühlen 2019, eighth at Pau 2017, ninth at Burghley in 2015, also adds to this mare’s pristine record.
Despite preparing for a seventh start at Badminton 2020, her owners and Sam made the decision to call her retirement in line with COVID cancellations. During this downtime, ‘Brocks’ returned to Ireland to spend time with her breeders, Paula and Frank Cullen. This is where she delivered the new addition and is now coined ‘Brocks the Wondermum’.
Header Image: Paulank Sport Horses Facebook page
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