International showjumping personality Bertram Allen has announced that his beloved grey mare, Molly Malone V, who propelled the Enniscorthy-born rider to the top of equestrian sport, has retired at the age of 15 and will take to the paddock for breeding duty.

“Molly propelled me to the top of our sport at a very young age, and for that, I will be eternally gratefule,” said Bertram, who added: “We now look forward to the future where Molly will enter anew era of her career as a breeding mare.”

Molly was purchased by Bertram’s father, Bert Allen of Ballywalter Stud, Kilmuckridge, as a five year old British-bred, and when young Bertram took over the ride on her as an eight year old, they became a formidable combination at the highest level of the sport.

The pair were selected on the Irish team for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, their first senior championship and won the opening speed round. In the same year they won the five-star Grand Prix in Lummen and finished fifth in the Rolex Grand Prix in Hetrogenbosch.

In 2015 they were selcted for the European Championships in Aachen and a third place finish in the World Cup Final in Las Vagas. They also enjoyed a five-star Grand Prix victory at Dinard in France and added multiple five-star victories around the world and other Grand Prix success including Verona, Stockholm and Geestern.

Molly Malone V’s retirement comes just a month after she finished fifth in the 1.55m class at the Global Champions Tour in Chantilly, France, and her last show was the Brissels Masters at the end of August.

Molly was firmly known as “the people’s favourite” and was always popular with the public. She will be missed in the ring, but she will always be regarded as one of the finest showjumpers of her generation.