In February 2020, we caught up with David Molloy owner and founder of Hazel Arch Farm, an Irish Stud that stands Top Sport Horse Stallions in County Laois, Ireland. The following is our Interview with David and what he had to share.
When was Hazel Arch Farm Founded?
We founded the stud in 2013. It is a family run operation, my wife Jasmin Goll and our 3 little helpers Tim, Ben and Emily. Our first stallion was one that I bred, Portlaoise First Tuch(ISH). I bred him from a good foundation mare that I had, Miss Portlaoise. The mare was by Ard Black Cat, and I really liked her type and felt that she would breed something really special.
First Tuch was her second last foal and he was good looking from the start and we knew we had quality. He is the only approved stallion by the great Errigal Flight, he is your Traditional Irish Sport Horse, and he has a super temperament. He has been a Great Foundation Stallion for our Stud and offers the breeder, a good looking, athletic horse with the super Traditional Irish Bloodlines.
What type of Sport Horses do you Stand; Showjumping, Eventing, Dressage, or a combination?
At Hazel Arch Farm our Sport Horse Stallions, would mainly be showjumping and eventing bloodlines. We were lucky enough to buy a Top Class stallion from Luc Henry in Belgium.
Udancer Hero is a KWPN stallion by the French showjumping thoroughbred Dancer Prince, who died at the early age of eight. Hero has an exceptional Dam Line, his dam Femke P by Voltaire, bred 18 foals, 11 went on to compete at International level, 4 on Nations Cup Teams. Udancer Hero himself competed at 1.45m at International level. He has approximately 67% TB in his genetics, and it gives the breeder some options to bring an exceptional bloodline into their breeding program. He is a good looking. athletic horse and again as with all our stallions has a super temperament.
Our third Stallion is another Top Class KWPN Stallion Radolin by the KWPN sire Monaco (Animo x Voltaire) and out the Elite Preferent mare Floor, by Aram (Nimmerdor x Uppercut xx).
We acquired this stallion from Andrea Etter, in Belmount House Stud. Radolin is a super stallion, good looking, with great movement, and again a super temperament. Radolin has been awarded a 4* Rating for both his Showjumping and Eventing Progeny, and offers the breeder top class bloodlines at an affordable price.
What do you look for when deciding to stand a Sport Horse Stallion?
When we are deciding to stand a stallion at stud, the first thing we look for is a top class bloodline, a page that is genetically strong. The next thing is the horse must look and move like a Super Star, and also it is very important that he have a good temperament.
What Stallions are Currently Available at Hazel Arch Farm?
This year along with our own three stallions we also have a selection of Top Class performance stallions available to the breeder via, Fresh and Frozen Semen, so we are very excited to be bringing such amazing performance bloodlines to Ireland.
We also have a selection of Stallions available with fresh and frozen;
Panenka De Kalvarie – BWP Stallion; Figaro de Kalvarie – SBS Stallion; Duel de HSP – SSW Stallion; Uricas vd Kattevennen – Holst Stallion;
Frozen semen only;
MJT Nevados S is a Grey 1.60m PZHK Stallion approved for SF, BWP and AES; Virtuose d’Hyrencourt. 1.60m SBS Stallion; Unique de Hyrencourt – SBS Stallion1.60m in competition; Moujik de Sohan SBS Stallion 1.60m
Happy Wandor vant Roosakker – BWP Stallion – The only 1.60m stallion who is the son of Great Britain Ben Maher’s medal winning mare, “Cella.”
For the pony world, frozen semen only;
Cyklon Texass which is the pony that jumped at European level.
At Hazel Arch Farm we offer a very specialised service, and we are available 24/7 throughout the breeding season, so we will be ready when your mare is ready.
Plus if an owner is looking for advice on which stallion to go for, we will gladly help out, matching the best stallion for the individual mare.
What do you look for in a good brood mare?
When we are looking for a broodmare, the aim is always to have the best mare that money can buy. Of course, as with the stallion the mare must have top class bloodlines, be good looking and correct, and of course to be athletic and move well. Temperament is also very important.
In Your Opinion, what is more important for Successful Progeny, the Dam Line or the Sire?
I always believe the dam line to be the most important when breeding, however, you must aim to match you mare to the best possible stallion for her type, if you are to achieve success with breeding.
In What Sphere has Hazel Arch Farm’s progeny been most successful to date, and can you give examples?
Our own progeny are still quite young. We are very excited about one of our young stock, a mare. She was 5th at Millstreet and qualified for the Go for Gold Sale and sold from there, Portlaoise Radical Chick is out of a full sister of Portlaoise First Tuch and she is by Radolin. She is currently owned by Dominic Burger Chef D’équipe of the Swiss team and they are delighted with her progress and are aiming her for eventing.
Radolin, has been awarded 4* approval for his progeny for both the Showjumping and Eventing Spheres. Some of the Showjumping offspring of Radolin include. Mullaghdrin Rado (1.60m), Dr Doolittle B (1.50m), Peninsula Angel (1.45m), Ultimate B (1.45m), Watch Me B (1.40m), Fortuna B (1.40m), Black Amarillo (1.40m), etc. Radolin’s top eventing offspring include Copper Beach (CCI3*), Fernhill By Night (CCI3*), Avoca Alibi (CCI3*), Greenfort Othello (CCI2*), etc.
Udancer Hero From a modest crop of foals in Udancer Hero’s earlier seasons, he has already sired Vivaldi D’Hyrencourt (Int.1.40m), Calgot Hero (Int.1.45m), Bolero D’Hyrencourt who recently won Roosendaal CSI2* 1.40m and Chopin D’Hyrencourt – a finalist of the Young Horse World Championships (Lanaken) in 2014 and 2015.
What Challenges do you face during the breeding season and how do you counteract them?
The main challenge for all breeders is to make sure the mare is ready for covering. I always suggest to my owners to get their mare scanned, as in the long run this will save them time and money, and gives the mare the best possible chance to be covered at the optimum time for a positive result.
best possible chance to be covered at the optimum time for a positive result.
What are your plans for the future of your stud?
We plan to stand a selection of Top Class Performance Stallions for the Breeder, while also offering them a Top Class Service for each and every mare.
If you had one piece of advice to offer to a young breeder starting out what would that be?
My advice would be to first of all decide what you want to breed, a showjumper, an eventer or just a nice quality riding horse. Have a plan on what you want to achieve, then once you know what you want, I advise you to go out and buy the very best mare that you can afford. Then breed your mare to the best stallion that will compliment her i.e. strengthen any weaknesses, don’t worry about what’s in fashion, just stick to your plan. This I believe will give you the best possible chance for success.
This interview with Hazel Arch Farm was originally published in the February 2020 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine.
If you would like to find out more information about Hazel Arch Farm you can contact them via their website www.hazelarchfarm.com