Beneficial the loss of one of Ireland's best National Hunt sires

Beneficial retired to Sean Kinsella's Knockhouse Stud in Co. Kilkenny in 1997. A winner of six of his twenty five starts three of them in stakes company. Beneficial won from distances of 7-12F. A winner of two of his three starts at two. At three Beneficial won the Listed Dee Stakes and the Group two King Edward, he was also third in the Group three Girdin Stakes. At four he won the Group three Scottish Classic and was third in the Group One International Stakes in the USA. He was also placed in the Group three Select Stakes and the Group three Prix Gonhaurt Biron.

Beneficial is by top class sire Top Ville. Top Ville is also sire of other leading NH sires in Un Desperado and Norwich who both also sired top class jumps horses. Top Ville also became a top class Broodmare sire. he is the dam sire of leading NH sires Montjeu and his full brother Gold Well. Top Ville is also sire of Darara and Princess Pati who both went on to be Group one winners on the flat.

Beneficial is out of three time winner Youthful. She is also the dam of Jeune who became a top class horse in Australia winning the Queen Elizabeth and the Melbourne Cup. Youthful is also grand dam of Puntal, a Graded winner over hurdles in England.

Beneficial's 2nd dam is First Bloom who was champion two year old filly in France. She is the dam of Group winners First Prayer and Water Lilly. She is also grand dam of Group one winner Talinum and Group winner Gharam. This is from the immediate family of Blue Bajain, a multiple Graded winner over hurdles and also placed in the Christmas hurdle and Flying Fifth hurdles both at Grade one level.

Beneficial made his way impressively up the ranks through the years getting top class horses including Cooldine, Mount Benbulben, Benneficient, GVA Ireland, Cruising Katie, Monksland, MakeYourMark, WhateverJackSays, Benash, Sweet Kiln, Realt Dubh, Gangadu etc.
Stock by Beneficial have sold for £250,000, €170,000, £117,000 €100,000 €80,000, €75,000, €65,000, while others sold in 2012 have made €30,000 or more.

Beneficial had the amazing ability to upgrade his mares into Grade one producers. He covered an average book of mares in his first few seasons but the talent shown from his progeny have brought him right up at the top of the ladder, covering well over 100 mares in a season. He covered 124 mares last season.

Beneficial sadly passed away in March of this year just as he was beginning to cover mares, although he did manage to cover some of his book. About 16 mares had reportedly been covered up until the time if his death. Beneficial was crowned champion National Hunt sire in 2012/2013 season beating Presenting, Kings Theatre, Oscar, Kayf Tara, Flemensfirth. He was also champion Point To Point sire.

Beneficial will be a huge loss to jumps breeders both in Ireland and Britain. He proved to be a top class sire of top quality jumps horses at an affordable fee and every year the quality of his stock got bigger and better. Thankfully Beneficial's progeny will be around for some time to come and with the best foals from his best book of mares still to come. however a huge gap will need to be filled in the jumps stallion ranks to fill the legacy left by this top class stallion.