TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen, while trying to open up trade with China last week, is probably unaware that, in his own town, a new trade in horses has just started with India.
Tullamore, Co Offaly, will be able to boast from next week that it sent the first ever Clydesdale horse from these islands to India.
On November 9th, a one-year-old Clydesdale called Claddagh King Bruce will be flown from Dublin to Frankfurt and on to a new life in Delhi.
The horse is currently in quarantine with horsebreeder Austin Colton at Ballinagar, near Tullamore.
Mr Colton explained that approaches were made to the Clydesdale Horse Society of Ireland, of which he is a member, to find a suitable horse to send to India.
"There are about 20 or 30 Clydesdale breeders here in Ireland and eventually Claddagh King Bruce, who is a yearling, was chosen," he said.
He explained that the young horse is owned by Owen Casey from Killurin, Co Offaly, who agreed to sell the animal.
Mr Colton said the deal was made with the Indian contacts by Hugo Merry from Fermoy, who will look after the shipping of the animal.
"We have been checking with the Clydesdale Horse Society in Scotland where the breed came from and which holds all the studbooks.
"They say this is the first time a Clydesdale has gone from these islands to India," he said.
"We are unsure why the horse is being brought out but we think, as it is a colt, the Indian buyers may want to cross it with their thoroughbreds to get a sport horse," he said.
Mr Colton recently imported Claddagh King Bruce's grandfather, Dillars Leader, a giant 19 hands, four-inch tall stallion, which is probably the biggest horse in Ireland.
"He will not be going anywhere, he is staying here," said Mr Colton.