In this episode of Bloodlines, Sweat and Tears, the Irish Horse Breeding podcast from Irish Country Living and The Irish Field, host Helen Sharp explores the enduring influence of Thoroughbred blood on Irish sport horse breeding.

Long valued for adding stamina, sharpness and athletic refinement, the Thoroughbred has helped shape the success of the modern Irish Sport Horse. But as breeding trends evolve, is that influence changing—and what does it mean for the future?

Helen is joined by an expert panel including Dr Alison Corbally, Dr Andrea Ryan, and Chris Ryan of Scarteen House. Together, they discuss the history, practical considerations, and future role of Thoroughbred blood in Irish Sport Horse breeding.

A must-listen for breeders, producers and anyone passionate about the evolution of the Irish sport horse, this episode asks a key question: does the next generation still need that famous Thoroughbred edge? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!

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How do you turn a 25,000gns horse-in-training purchase, rated 75, into a dual listed winner who could yet take on Constitution Hill? On this week’s episode of The Racing Edge Podcast, Kevin Blake tells the story behind Beset, the winner of Naas’ joint-feature on Sunday.

The leading pundit, who wears many hats as a horseman, owner-breeder and race planner, is involved in the partnership behind one of the most improved mares in training. Ahead of Saturday’s Dubai World Cup night, he also gives an update on Joseph O’Brien’s hopes of a winner at Meydan with Al Riffa and Sons And Lovers.

The Racing Edge team review the main action from the weekend in Ireland, and discuss a number of talking points from the latest edition of The Irish Field.

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After seeing his star novice hurdler Heads Up bounce back with a listed victory at Punchestown on Sunday, Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer John McConnell joins The Racing Edge podcast this week to discuss his Cotswolds contender and a host of other topics.

Joined by Mark Boylan and Anne Marie Duff from The Irish Field, the panel weigh up whether Jonbon can make it Grade 1 win number 13 in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, as well as counting down to Constitution Hill’s much-talked-out flat debut at Southwell on Friday. Each of the team nominate an Aintree horse to keep an eye on, ahead of this week’s Randox Grand National weights reveal.

With a lack of betting pattern monitoring services were highlighted in the aftermath of the recent Redwood Queen case involving Philip and Charles Byrnes, John and Mark look at the current state of play regarding the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s bet-tracking operations, as highlighted in The Irish Field this week by columnist Tony Keenan. 

Mark and Anne Marie were on The Jockey Club’s Cheltenham press tour around Ireland last week and report some nuggets from their mornings with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. All three discuss whether Britain can put it up to Ireland in the Prestbury Cup this year, following no outright win for the host team in the competition since 2015.

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After a breathtaking bank holiday weekend of racing, The Racing Edge team are back to review the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival.

Mark Walsh took the meeting by storm and his Grade 1 four-timer is analysed by Mark Boylan, Mark Costello and Anne Marie Duff, who are joined this week by special guest Finny Maguire. Widely regarded as one of the top amateur jockeys in Ireland and Britain, Maguire was among the winners at the DRF when partnering Moonverrin to a dramatic win in the Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires Los Angeles Irish EBF Mares Bumper, before jetting across to Kempton on Monday for an impressive bumper winner, trained by Harry Derham.

Is Fact To File the answer to the 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup? Where does Galopin Des Champs stand now after his Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup third? Do the panel hold out hope that Marine Nationale can reverse DRF form with Majborough next month? And what are the knock-on implications of Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth’s engaging rematch? All the key questions are discussed in this whistle-stop tour through the main action from one of the biggest weekends in the Irish racing calendar.

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