Olympic medal-winning show jumper Cian O’Connor ‘relieved’ that horses escape from burning stable

Multiple units from Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin fire stations battled the blaze, which broke out in a large barn at O’Connor’s Karlswood centre in Batterstown, Co Meath, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“All animals were moved and no-one was injured, while vehicles were also rescued when the fire broke out at around 3am,” a Meath Fire Service spokesman said.

The fire was under control before it could reach the nearby stables.

Cian lives with his wife and two young sons on the property, which has been converted into a state-of-the-art, high-quality riding centre.

“One of the barns caught fire and we have several barns on that site and we were able to house all of our horses in the house. We are very happy and relieved,” Cian (44) told the Sunday World.

The centre is owned by O’Connor’s parent company Ronnoco, whose two directors are the show jumper and his father Tadgh.

The Karlswood centre has been significantly expanded and features indoor and outdoor sand arenas, a salt therapy room, a horse spa, an aqua treadmill and a solarium.

Figures reported in 2021 show O’Connor’s horse stud in Co Meath posted a turnover of €20.77m over the 12-month period in 2018, up 47 per cent from €14.2m the year before.

The main activity of his company is the breeding and sale of international show jumping horses, as well as the coaching and management of show jumping horses and clients.

Cian is a grandson of former rugby international Karl Mullen and godson of the recently deceased Anthony O’Reilly.

His sister is former model and now businesswoman Pippa O’Connor, whose clothing brand Poco she runs with her husband Brian Ormond.

O’Connor won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and has represented Ireland 14 times at major competitions including the Olympic Games and World and European Championships, including the recent Paris Olympics.

When he lost his gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, it was discovered that his horse had a banned substance in its system.