Crownished World Champion of 7-year-old horses at the 2025 Mondial du Lion Crédit Mutuel under the saddle of British rider Tom McEwen, Brookfield Danny de Muze left a lasting impression with his consistency, style, and exceptional mindset. Behind this phenomenon is Donal Callery, an Irish breeder at the helm of Cookstown Stud. A warm interview with a passionate man at the peak of his art.

The emotion of a world title

For Donal Callery and his family, seeing a homebred horse climb to the highest step of the podium in Le Lion d’Angers is an extraordinary feeling. “Simply fantastic! Phenomenal, for myself as well as for all my family. Receiving such recognition as a breeder is an immense satisfaction and the culmination of so many years of work,” he confides.

A triumph he had to experience from a distance. Three weeks earlier, the family was in Lanaken to support another product of the breeding program, the 5-year-old Cookstown Luidam. It was impossible to manage a second trip so close together. So it was behind their screens, with a knot in their stomachs and passion in their hearts, that they followed Danny’s exploits.

“I was very anxious! I had full confidence in his jumping ability for the show jumping and we knew he laid down very good dressage tests, but cross-country remained the big question mark for me at this level.” Relief came on Sunday: “When he crossed the finish line of the show jumping, it was simply electric! Our ‘Danny’ was becoming World Champion.”

The art of cross-breeding: winning genetics

At the head of a herd of eight broodmares, Donal Callery breeds primarily for show jumping, but with a modern vision. Danny’s story is built on a bold genetic gamble: blending a traditional Irish strain with the power of continental blood.

• Maternal side: Gortglas Sparrow, a Connemara and Thoroughbred half-blood mare. “One brings the energy and blood, the other the jumping ability and carefulness.”

• Paternal side: The BWP stallion I’m Special de Muze (by Emerald and with the fantastic French stallion Diamant de Semilly as his grandsire), bringing strength, trajectory, and technique.

“By making this cross, I was rather thinking of producing a show jumper. I am convinced that the traditional Irish horse needs to be crossed with continental Warmblood blood to perform at the highest level,” Donal explains. Initially intended for show jumping, Danny ultimately proved to be a machine built for eventing.

A family story and love at first sight

As is tradition in the Callery family, each child is assigned a foal at birth. Danny belonged to Daniel, the family’s youngest son—who himself represented Ireland at the Mounted Games World Championships on ponies. That is where his name comes from.

“At birth, he looked like a pure blood horse: he was lively, eager to get up and go, as if he was already saying ‘Look at me!'” the breeder recalls. Sold at a very young age as a foal after catching the eye of a knowledgeable trainer, Danny then joined the stables of star rider Tom McEwen. “Every good horse needs a great rider to reveal themselves. Danny fell into the best possible hands.”

A fresh boost for the breeding program

This world title brings warmth to the heart after a dark period. The year 2025 had started very poorly for the stud farm, which suffered five miscarriages out of seven mares. “That had dealt us a terrible blow, financially too. And then, the same year, Danny wins at Le Lion! A very difficult year turned into a resounding success.”

Looking to the future, Donal Callery now dreams of seeing his protégé tread the turf at Badminton and, why not, secure an Olympic selection. “So few horses get this chance… Yes, it would be a dream, and it is not impossible!”

Danny summarized in three words by his breeder:

• Special: “Because he is by I’m Special de Muze, because he was a special foal, and because he belonged to my youngest son Daniel.”

• Unique: “Because of his cross blending traditional Irish blood and Warmblood. It was my breeding goal and it worked.”

• Champion: “Because he proved it on the track!”