BILL Ireland's foundation Dales stallion Slaypits Black Magic has been put down this morning, aged 25.

The Dales stallion – himself a Horse of the Year Show and Olympia finalist – was the foundation for Bill's Kilmannan Dales Pony Stud in Blanefield, Glasgow. Bought 20 years ago, Magic left his mark on the Dales pony world, being the sire of Kilmanan Black Pearl, which was the Olympia M&M champion and Kilmannan Black Velvet, who won at the Horse of the Year Show.

"He was a lovely pony and will be very sadly missed," said Bill, who this year has one Dales foal due by the stallion Kilmannan Rob Roy, who is a son of Pearl.