Abbeyleix Owen (C496)

Clifden 1982 1st place stallion, shown by B. O'Malley

Clifden 1988 1st place Society List Stallion and
2nd place Registered Stallion,
shown by Tommy O'Brien

Clifden 1992 3rd place stallion, shown by J. Canavan

  V. Morgan photo - 1995

Abbeyleix Owen (496) by Kimble (227) dam Queen of Diamonds (1934) was bred by Lady de Vesci at Abbeyleix, he was bought by the Society and joined the approved stallion list in Connemara as a four year old in 1975. He was a much stronger and plainer pony than his sire, and his good bone, strength and substance were valuable qualities which were needed to blend with the some of the lighter mares. He was placed with Josie Conroy for his first three seasons, and his first crop of foals produced some good filllies who were to become wellknown names in the future, they included Silver Sparrow (6898), Errisbeg Doily (69400, Grey Rock Star (6947) and Village Grey (6951). He was to have a long and fruitful life in Connemara and served for twenty three years on the Society's stallion list. (1) p. 157

 Abbeyleix Own (496), one of the best known stallions in the breed, came from Willie Diamond's breeding. His sire was Kimble (227) and his dam Queen of Diamonds (1934) was a Carna Bobby (79) mare who Willie sold to Lady de Vesci. Abbeyleix Owen was foaled at Abbeyleix in 1971, and later Lady de Vesci presented him as a gift to the Society. He joined the Society's stallion list in 1975 and was placed with Josie Conroy for his first four seasons in Connemara and stood in all the districts in Connemara before moving to Jimmy Canavan in Moycullen in 1991. Abbeyleix Owen (496) had a big influence on the breed in the twenty-two years he was on the Society's stallion list and sired many outstanding ponies including five Dublin or Clifden Champions, Silver Sparrow (6898), Cailin Ciuin (8785). Grey Rock Star (6947), Owen's Lady (8066) and Sliabh na mBan Cailln (8500). (1) p. 267

Abbeyleix Own (496), carried the Red Line into the sixth generation from Connemara Boy (9), and on his dam's side he traces back through her sire Carna Bobby (79) to the Blue Line and Rebel (7), so that he combines the two earliest bloodlines of the breed. He has passed on his strength and substance to his progeny, and as he retires in 1998 aged 27 years he has left a sound base of breeding stock in Connemara. (1) p. 268


V. Morgan 1995 photo; pictured at age 24

ABBEYLEIX OWEN at nineteen years of age is the senior gentleman of the sextet. He was bred by Susan de Vesci in Co. Laois. However, much of the credit for this sire must go to Willie Diamond who bred Owen's dam Queen of Diamonds out of a Carna Bobby mare called Black Out. Willie was also responsible for producing and showing his sire Kimble at the height of his powers. Owen was bought by the Connemara Society and registered by them as a two year old. He started his stud life with Josie Conroy at four years and spent six seasons at Bunowen. He then had six at Carraroe before going to Callowfeenish for three and from there to Ballinafad in 1987. In 1990 he was with Graham Tulloch where he received every care and comfort. I remember Susan de Vesci feeling rather ashamed of Owen's honest plain looks when he was a youngster. I think she might have been very proud of him in his latter years as he has gained a certain grace with the dignity of old age. He has certainly been a trusty servant to the breeders in Connemara and bestowed great bone on all his progeny. They can sometimes come a bit plain too, but are the sort who live well and breed well on their native heath. On Graham's untimely death, Johnny Lee offered Abbeyleix Owen a home in Moycullen where I am sure he will have every care this coming winter. I do not know what the plans are for his future.
It was a sad loss to James De Courcy and Connemara at large when Owen's son Cuchulain died at an early age. He looked like proving a worthy successor to his sire and we must hope he has left a colt or two from which to choose a replacement. And of course Owen may yet provide another of like quality himself. It was good to see Owen's three year old daughter Cfiilim Ciuin win her class and stand in the Reserve Championship slot at Clifden in 1990. (2) p. 275

 

 (1) Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society 1923-1998, by Elizabeth Petch, 1998


(2) Out of the Mist - The Connemara Pony, by Pat Lyne, 1990

A few of the Get of Abbeyleix Owen:

Castle Urchin
Irish Connemara Mare (12417), out of Castle Dame (M8640)
Born 1998; Owned by Henry O'Toole
Clifden 2003 4/5 Year Old Mare
Clifden 2002 4/5 Year Old Mare
Clifden 2001 3 Year Old Mare & Junior Championship

Ross Castle Kippure Heather
Out of Margaret
Breeder Mr George & Elizabeth Mc Loughlin, Ross Castle, Rosscahill, Galway.
Owner Mr Michael Igoe, Kippure, Manor Kilbride, Blessington, Co. Wicklow.
Clifden 2003 6/7 yr old Mare
Clifden 2001 1st place Mare six or seven years old with or without foal at foot.


Ross Owen
German Connemara Mare out of Ros Dubh by Maam Hill
Born 1997, gray 143 cm
Owned by Sabine Laufenberg, Germany

Gental Wren
Irish Connemara Mare (11225), out of Milford Wren M 8067)
Born 1996; Owned by John McLoughlin
Clifden 2001 4/5 Year Old Mare
Clifden 1999 Junior Championship
Clifden 1997 Yearling Filly

Internet Connemara Pony Gallery

Bunowen Beauty
Irish Connemara Mare (10782), out of Irishtown Beauty
Born 1995; Owned by Padraic Hynes
Clifden 2000 4/5 Year Old Mare and Supreme Champion
Clifden 1999 4/5 Year Old Mare
Clifden 1997 2 Year Old Filly
Clifden 1995 Filly Foal and Champion Foal

Internet Connemara Pony Gallery

Castle Comet
Born 1994, Irish Connemara Stallion (1026), dun
Out of Castle Dame (M8640) by Mervyn Kingsmill
Bred by by Henry O'Toole, owned by Vanessa Compton, Chilham Connemaras
Supreme Champion at Horse of the Year Show (UK) 2002.
Supreme Champion at the British Connemara Breed Show in 2000 and 2003. Many more championships - check link above.
Clifden 1997 3 Year Old Stallion and Junior Championship
Clifden 1996 2 Year Old Stallion and Junior Championship

 Vital Chance de Klover Hill
Belgian Connemara Gelding out of Glencarrig Niamh by Ashfield Stormy Sparrow
Born 1994, bay, 154 cm
Winner of the Gelding Class Oude Heverlee



 Owen's Blossom
3 yr old approved Irish Connemara Stallion out of Furry Blossom
Born 1992
Below: V. Morgan photo - taken at 1995 CPBS Inspections

 Irish Connemara Mare
Registered Irish Mare, born 1991/2
Below: V. Morgan photo - taken at 1995 CPBS Inspections

Cloonisle Cashel
Irish Connemara Stallion (980), out of Cloonisle Lady (M7710)
Born 1991; Owned by Eamon Burke
Clifden 1999 4 Years and Over Stallion
Clifden 1994 3 Year Old Stallion
Cloonisle Cashel is the sire of Glencarrig Prince S 1073, out of Glencarrig Aedin M 9008

Canal Misty Fionn
Irish Connemara Stallion (940), out of Gloves Misty (M6535)
Born 1990/1; Owned by Padraic Hynes
Clifden 1993 2-3 Year Old Colts

Irish Connemara Colt
Out of Village Star (M5146)
Born 1991; Owned by Henry O'Toole
Clifden 1992 Yearling Colts

Castle Countess
Irish Connemara Mare (9785), out of Castle Dame (M8640)
Born 1991; Owned by Padraic Hynes
Clifden 2001 10-15 Year Old Mare, Confined Champion and Supreme Champion
Clifden 2000 8/9 Year Old Mare and Confined Champion
Clifden 1994 3 Year Old Mare

Internet Connemara Pony Gallery

Irish Connemara Mare
Out of Cloonisle Lady (M7710)
Born 1988; Owned by Robert Bolger
Clifden 1989 Yearling Filly


Salerna Sunset M 9775
Out of Munga Mary Anne
Breeder Ms Janice Walsh, Athyguddaun, Cleggan, Co Galway.
Owner Mr Nicholas Byrne, clare Oughterard Co. Galway
Placing 2nd in Class G. Champion Ridden Pony, CLIFDEN 2004

Kingstown Gold M 9032
Irish Connemara Mare (9032), out of Garbally Gay Girl (M7081)
Born 1988; Owned by Phillida Collier
Clifden 1992 4 Year Old Mare

Cailin Ciuin
Irish Connemara Mare (8785), Wireless Wave (3641)
Born 1987; Owned by Josie Joyce
Clifden 1996 Mare 7-9 Years and Supreme Champion
Clifden 1994 7/9 Year Old Mare
Clifden 1990 3 Year Old Mare

Grey Molly
Irish Connemara Mare (8789), Ashfield Surf (M4345)
Born 1986/8; Owned by Mr T Keaney
Clifden 1995 Mare 7-9 Years, Confined Champion and Supreme Champion

 

Callowfeenish Mairtin
Irish Connemara Stallion (846), out of Wireless Wave
Born 1984, bay
Owned by Lady Maria Levinge
Clifden 1987 2-3 Year Old Colts

Photo left by V. Morgan photo - 1995

Sliabh na mBan Cailin
Irish Connemara Mare (8500), out of Sliabh na mBan Peggy (M7851)
Born 1983/5; Owned by Padraic Hynes
Clifden 1992 Mare 7-9 Years and Confined Champion

Cuchulainn
Irish Connemara Stallion (789), out of Sparrow Hill (M3661)
Owned by James de Courcy
Clifden 1986 Registered Stallion and Confined Champion

Owens Lady
Irish Connemara Mare (8066), out of Tullybrick Tilly (M3314)
Born 1982; Owned by Jackie Walsh
Clifden 1986 4 Year Old Mare


Brown Lady
Irish Connemara Mare (7157), out of Trixie (M3998)
Born 1977; Bred and owned by Malachy Sweeney
Dam of *Gun Smoke
Clifden 1999 20+ Year Old Mare

Grey Rock Star
Irish Connemara Mare (6947), out of Breath of Wind (M5188)
Born 1976; Owned by Noel Mannion
Clifden 1982 5/6 Year Old Mare
Clifden 1981 5/6 Year Old Mare
Clifden 1980 4 Year Old Mare and Confined Champion

Silver Sparrow M 6898
Irish Connemara Mare (6898), out of Sparrow Hill (M3661)
Born <1975; Owned by Michael Clancy
Clifden 1985 7+ Mare and Over, Confined Champion and Supreme Champion
Clifden 1983 7+ Mare and Over and Confined Champion

 

C496, Abbeyleix Owen's foals and their accomplishments:

Clifden 1976 3rd place filly foal, shown by P. Nee (o/o C3989)

Clifden 1976 2nd place colt foal, shown by J.T. Conroy (o/o C5680)

Clifden 1977, his foals took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the filly foal class:
   1st place, shown by J. Gorhan (o/o C3122)
    2nd place, shown by J. Conroy (o/o C2346)
    3rd place, shown by T.N. Manon (o/o C3367)

Clifden 1978 1st place yearling filly, shown by T.J. McDonagh (o/o C3122)

Clifden 1979 1st place filly foal, shown by E. Moran (o/o C6400)

Clifden 1979 3rd place yearling filly, shown by T.J. McDonagh (o/o C3370)

Clifden 1980 3rd place yearling filly, shown by T.J. McDonagh (o/o C3138)

C6947, Grey Rock Star (o/o C5188) shown by N. Mannion
     Clifden 1980 1st place 4 yr old mares
     Clifden 1981 1st place 5-6 yr old mares
     Clifden 1982 1st place 5-6 yr old mares

C7553, April Anita (o/o C6400) Clifden 1984 3rd place 5-6 yr old mares, shown by J. Tarpey

C6898, Silver Sparrow (o/o C3661) shown by M. J. Clancy
     Clifden 1983 Reserve Champion and 1st place 7+ yr old mare    
     Clifden 1984 2nd place 7+ yr old mare   
     Clifden 1985 1st place 7+ yr old mare

Clifden 1985 3rd place colt foal, shown by JE Feeney (o/o C6271)

C789, Cuchulain (o/o C3661) Clifden 1986 1st place Stallion, shown by J. DeCourley

C8066, Owen's Lady (o/o C3314) , shown by J Walsh
     Clifden 1985 3rd place 3 yr old mares
     Clifden 1986 1st place 4 yr old mares
     Clifden 1987 3rd place 5-6 yr old mares
     Clifden 1995 3rd place 10+ yr old mare

C846, Callowfeenish Mairtin (o/o C3641) Clifden 1987 1st place 2-3 yr old colts, shown by M. Levinge

C8785, Cailin Ciun (o/o C3641), shown by J Joyce :
     Clifden 1990 1st place 3 yr old mare
     Clifden 1991 2nd place 4 yr old mare
     Clifden 1992 1st place 5-6 yr old mare
     Clifden 1995 2nd place 7-9 yr old mare

Mare C8500, shown by P. Hynes (o/o C7851):
     Clifden 1991 2nd place 5-6 yr old mare
     Clifden 1992 1st place 7-9 yr old mare
     Clifden 1993 2nd place 7-9 yr old mare

Clifden 1992 3rd place 10+ yr old mare (C7387), shown by P. Heanne (o/o C4360)

Clifden 1992 1st place yearling colt and Reserve Champion, shown by H. O'Toole (o/o C5146)

Clifden 1993 2nd place colt foal, shown by S Conneelly (o/o C8481)

1995 Reserve English Champion

 

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