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Gillian Callaghan first shot to our attention back in 2011 when she unleashed the mighty Mount Benbulben in a Thurles bumper.
Callaghan is more focussed on pre-training these days, but she still keeps a few for herself.
Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Gillian Callaghan first shot to our attention back in 2011 when she unleashed the mighty Mount Benbulben in a Thurles bumper.
Ridden by Andrew Duff, now head lad for Ger Lyons, Mount Benbulben burst clear in the closing stages for an emphatic seven-length win over Mozoltov and was even more impressive when landing a Limerick bumper next time.
Mount Benbulben was then sold to Barry Connell for £250,000 and went on to win a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival for Gordon Elliott by 22 lengths. "He was some horse, he's the most talented one to have passed through my hands," she said of the seven-time winner who reached a sky-high rating of 160 over fences.
Callaghan is more focussed on pre-training these days, but she still keeps a few for herself and proved her prowess when celebrating a double at Kilbeggan last May courtesy of The Dasher Conway and Run For Harry, who both won on the same card.
"That was probably the highlight of my career," Gallaghan said of that summer evening. "I had never had two winners in Ireland before and a lot of our family and friends were there that night, that was really special. It was some buzz."
Callaghan, who is married to former All-Ireland-winning Meath football Barry, has trained a whole host of talented thoroughbreds. Ongenstown Lad won seven times for her, including a novices' hurdle at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting in 2011 by 17 lengths, while Mad Brian was a top-notch chaser on his day, too. He might only have won three times, but he went close to winning the Troytown Chase at Navan in 2013 under Nina Carberry when just touched off by Cootamundra.
Callaghan is a native of Allenstown in between Navan and Kells and her brother, Greg Halford, was a terrific amateur for both Michael Cunningham and Noel Meade. Horses have always been a part of her life and she hopes she may have unearthed another gem in the shape of Royal Soldier. She said: "I think he's a very nice horse. He has ran in just the one point-to-point and I'm hoping he might turn out to be above average."
As for the racing personality she looked up to most, Callaghan replied: "Jessica Harrington. I've always admired what she has done, both over jumps and on the Flat. She had a brilliant career."
Ridden by Andrew Duff, now head lad for Ger Lyons, Mount Benbulben burst clear in the closing stages for an emphatic seven-length win over Mozoltov and was even more impressive when landing a Limerick bumper next time.
Mount Benbulben was then sold to Barry Connell for £250,000 and went on to win a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival for Gordon Elliott by 22 lengths. "He was some horse, he's the most talented one to have passed through my hands," she said of the seven-time winner who reached a sky-high rating of 160 over fences.
Callaghan is more focussed on pre-training these days, but she still keeps a few for herself and proved her prowess when celebrating a double at Kilbeggan last May courtesy of The Dasher Conway and Run For Harry, who both won on the same card.
"That was probably the highlight of my career," Gallaghan said of that summer evening. "I had never had two winners in Ireland before and a lot of our family and friends were there that night, that was really special. It was some buzz."
Callaghan, who is married to former All-Ireland-winning Meath football Barry, has trained a whole host of talented thoroughbreds. Ongenstown Lad won seven times for her, including a novices' hurdle at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting in 2011 by 17 lengths, while Mad Brian was a top-notch chaser on his day, too. He might only have won three times, but he went close to winning the Troytown Chase at Navan in 2013 under Nina Carberry when just touched off by Cootamundra.
Callaghan is a native of Allenstown in between Navan and Kells and her brother, Greg Halford, was a terrific amateur for both Michael Cunningham and Noel Meade. Horses have always been a part of her life and she hopes she may have unearthed another gem in the shape of Royal Soldier. She said: "I think he's a very nice horse. He has ran in just the one point-to-point and I'm hoping he might turn out to be above average."
As for the racing personality she looked up to most, Callaghan replied: "Jessica Harrington. I've always admired what she has done, both over jumps and on the Flat. She had a brilliant career."