Michael Ryan, a Waterford based breeder and property developer enjoyed his day in sunny St. Moritz on Sunday when his homebred Eagle Valley (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) lead home fellow Ryan homebred Duchess Andorra (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) to give the owner a 1-2 in the Grand Prix Schlossatelier over four furlongs on the snow. The winner is trained by Curragh based Tracey Collins and was ridden by Ronan Whelan and celebrations in Switzerland are likely to be lively if the owner/breeder is true to form. Ryan is best known for topping the Orby Yearling Sale when his homebred Ol' Man River (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) fetched €2.85m at Goffs in 2013. Bought by MV Magnier, the colt, out of Ryan's Classic winner Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr Greely) won the G2 Beresford S. as a juvenile. A year later, also at Goffs, Ryan had further cause for celebration when a Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) filly foal out of Finsceal Beo made €1.8m when bought by Dermot Farrington at the November Sale.
Ryan has enjoyed great success as an owner; in addition to the exploits of Finsceal Beo who won three Group 1 races when trained by Jim Bolger, Ryan also owned the prolific winning hurdler Al Eile (Ire) (Alzao). This homebred, trained in County Waterford by Ryan's neighbour John Queally, won five Grade 1 hurdles including the prestigious G1 Aintree Hurdle on three occasions. Such was Ryan's affinity with the horse that he named his stud after him. Michael Ryan also has the distinction of standing a homebred stallion at his Al Eile Stud. Finsceal Fior (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Finsceal Beo (Ire), by Mr Greely), a 6-year-old, was unraced due to injury but his pedigree is top class and his first crop are due to hit the track this year.
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