Former Coolmore groom says life was devastated after kick

A former stallion groom at Coolmore Stud claims his life was devastated as a result of kick from a mare, the High Court has heard.

Michael Power (46) is suing Linley Investments, t/a Coolmore-Castlehyde and Associated Farms, Fethard, Co Tipperary, over an injury to his left arm from a kick from the mare which had just been mated with a stallion on March 4th, 2010.

The defendant denies his claims and has also pleaded he was “entirely responsible” for his own safety and was guilty of contributory negligence.

Mr Power alleges, as a result of alleged negligence in relation to the alleged lack of a proper safety system for the “covering” procedure at the stud, he is unable to work since the incident because his arm has become “essentially useless”.

He worked at Coolmore for 10 years and his employment was formally terminated in February 2014, the court heard.

Mr Power, who lives on a house on the Coolmore estate with his schoolteacher wife and two children, was between the front of the stallion and the hindquarters of the mare after the covering had taken place in a shed when the mare kicked out.

His counsel Turlough O’Donnell said one of the central issues for the court to consider was whether there was gross negligence in that the mare was not moved forward and away while he was dealing with the stallion.

The incident, captured on CCTV, was “an accident waiting to happen”, counsel said.

Mr Power was in charge of the stallion, Fastnet Rock, while two others were in charge of the mare, Maryiriski.

Covering is dangerous in that Mr Power has to ensure the stallion does not harm the mare or other people from, for instance, biting, counsel said.

The covering was completed and what should have occurred was that the mare was moved forward and would be out of kicking range if the system worked properly, he said.

This did not happen and the mare kicked out, counsel said. Mr Power put up his left arm to protect himself and while initially it was clear there was a serious fracture of is arm, it later turned out to be a devastating injury.

He has been left in continuing and severe pain and his arm was “essentially useless”, counsel said.

He had enjoyed his job before the accident and worked at one stage with the most valuable horse in the world, Galileo, counsel added.

He can no longer work with animals and needs assistance with basic functions like putting on his socks and cutting up food on his plate, counsel said.

The case continues before Mr Justice Michael Hanna.