Stallion in Focus – Cappa Capone

The Class 1 Irish Draught stallion Cappa Capone is the recipient of a new performance merit having earned a Bronze Merit for scoring over 65% in all of his Preliminary Level dressage results under Dressage Ireland rules in his career thus far with Kate Solon.

Cappa Capone is by Cappa Cassanova (IDC1) and is out of Cappa Jewel (IDC1) by Coolcronan Wood (IDC1). Cappa Capone is the third son of Cappa Cassanova’s to earn Class 1 status.

Bred and owned by Jimmy & Edel Quinn of Cappa Stud in Co. Galway, Cappa Capone earned his Class 1 status at the 2019 Stallion Selections in Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Speaking to Horse Sport Ireland about the achievement, Jimmy gave us a little more detail about Cappa Capone’s history.

“I’ll never forget that May morning. The mist was still hanging low over the Galway fields when I went to check on Jewel. She was finally ready, and within the hour, there he was—this grey colt looking up at me with eyes that seemed far too knowing for something that had just arrived in the world.

Edel and I have foaled out dozens of mares over the years, but there was something different about this one from the start. Most foals are all legs and uncertainty for the first few hours. Not this lad. He was on his feet in twenty minutes, moving with a balance that you just don’t see in something so new to the world. He walked straight up to me, no fear, just curiosity. Like he was taking my measure.

We should call him Capone,” I said to Edel. The name just fit—that quiet confidence, that intelligence in his eye. Though thankfully he’s turned out to have none of the notorious gangster’s bad habits. Instead, he inherited something far more valuable: a kind, willing temperament that’s been the foundation of everything he’s achieved.

When we bred Jewel to Cassanova, we knew the cross had potential. Cassanova’s been one of the stars of our breeding program—three-time RDS Champion, Gold Merits for showing, jumping, and progeny. He’s proven himself as a producer time and again, and Capone is his third son to gain full approval. But the dam line is just as important. Through Coolcronan Wood, Capone goes back to Sea Crest, the sire of Cruising. And on Jewel’s dam side, there’s Rochestown Katie—Champion foal in 1996—and behind her, Rochestown Gold, whose offspring have been Reserve RDS Champions.

So yes, the pedigree was there on paper. But breeding is never just about pedigrees. It’s about what each individual horse brings to the table, and Capone brought something special from day one. As a youngster, while other colts would spook at the tractor or shy from strangers, Capone would walk right up to anyone who came to the fence. Not pushy, just interested. Watching. Learning.

When he was three, Capone was presented at the stallion inspections. He passed with flying colors—fully approved in 2019. He’s grown into a proper Irish Draught stallion now, standing 170cm with 24 inches of bone and the conformation and movement to match. A few years later, he won his qualifier at Scarteen for the RDS Performance Class, showing the versatility that the breed was founded on. But the real revelation has been watching him in dressage. I’ll admit, when Kate Solon first took him on, I wasn’t sure how far an Irish Draught could go in that discipline. It’s one thing to be handy and versatile, another to compete at championship level in a sport that demands such precision and collection. Kate’s partnership with him has been extraordinary though. She understands him, and more importantly, he understands her. He doesn’t just do what sheasks—he wants to get it right. That willingness, that intelligence, it all comes back to that temperament he showed as a foal.

This year, he was awarded a Bronze Merit for Dressage. Then came word that he’d placed as the highest Irish Draught at the 2025 Dressage Ireland National Championships. I won’t lie—Edel and I were absolutely delighted. Not just for the achievement itself, but for what it says about the breed. Irish Draughts aren’t supposed to be dressage horses, according to some. But Capone’s proving that when you combine the right breeding with the right temperament and the right training, there’s no ceiling on what these horses can do.

He’s still true to type—170cm, substantial, looks every inch the Irish Draught he is. But he moves like something else entirely when Kate has him in the arena. Athletic, balanced, willing. Always willing. That’s the key to him, really. His talent would mean nothing without that kindness, that desire to please. And that’s something you can’t breed for on paper. It’s just who he is.

Standing here now, watching him in his paddock with that same calm intelligence he had as a foal, I think about that misty May morning eight years ago. About how some horses just arrive with something extra. Capone had it from his first breath, and he’s carried it through every step of his journey—from that foaling stall to the national championships.

We’re proud of what he’s achieved, but more than that, we’re proud of how he’s achieved it. With grace, with intelligence, and with that kind temperament that was evident from the very beginning. That’s the legacy we hope he passes on to his offspring—not just his movement or his conformation, but that willing heart.”

His rider, Kate Solon, was effusive in her praise for the stallion:

“Since day 1 Capone has been a pleasure to produce. He is exceptionally well mannered, easy-going and genuine, yet very talented and athletic. He is so uphill to ride and very quick to learn. Alongside his success in performance classes, he has shown real aptitude for dressage and is now being developed with the aim of campaigning him up the levels, both in dressage and showjumping to showcase his versatility.”

Horse Sport Ireland would like to congratulate Jimmy and Edel Quinn, and Kate Solon on this achievement and wish them the very best of good luck with Cappa Capone on the next phase of his competitive career.

Horse Sport Ireland review stallion classifications and star rating criteria on an ongoing basis for the Irish Draught Horse, Irish Sport Horse and Irish Sport Pony Studbooks.
Owners and agents of approved stallions may submit them for star rating review either through their own performance or that of their progeny by contacting stallions@horsesportireland.ie.

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