Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
It’s foaling season in many corners of the world, and one of the latest eventing babies to hit the ground is the maiden foal of the scrappy and lovely 2014 Badminton winner, Paulank Brockagh. The filly was born early on Wednesday morning at owners Frank and Paula Cullen’s farm in Ireland.
Meet the baby:
Paulank Brockagh (Touchdown – Calendar Girl, by Trigerrero) was bred to the Thoroughbred Centennial (Dalakhani – Lurina, by Lure) and we’re certainly excited to see what the future holds for this “wonder baby”!
You may recall the grit that was required to take the title at Badminton that wet and wild year – and it wasn’t even the gutsy mare with longtime rider, Australia’s Sam Griffiths, who were predicted to take the win after their heroic efforts across a grueling cross country on Saturday.
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo courtesy of Nico Morgan Photography.
No, this pair found themselves in fifth position heading into the show jumping finale. But when the rails began to clunk out of their cups, and despite having one pole down themselves, it was indeed Sam and Paulank Brockagh who emerged as the winners of the weekend. You can go back and relive their win here and here. She was just the fourth mare to win Badminton.
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo courtesy of Nico Morgan Photography.
Of course, this was just one of many accomplishments the now-18-year-old mare has to her name. She also completed all 10 CCI4* events she started in her career and represented Australia in the 2014 World Equestrian Games and the 2016 Olympic Games, where she finished fourth individually. With a resume such as this, it’s easy to get excited about the potential she just brought into the world.
Please join us in congratulating Frank and Paula, Sam, and all of Paulank Brockagh’s fans on this exciting news!
Go Eventing.
