Rough Diamond
Rough Diamond is set against the world of elegant racehorses in picturesque rural Southern Ireland. It is a heart-warming story about a man who thinks he has nothing, but finds a son in need of a father, and a horse who just needs a chance. All three must learn to trust each other if they're to achieve their dreams.
The storyline centres on the rivalry between struggling young trainer Aidan Docherty (Conor Mullen - Soldier Soldier) and his millionaire neighbours, Charlie Carrick (Stanley Townsend) and his wife Yolanda (Lorraine Pilkington - Monarch Of The Glen), who run the successful Firebrand yard.
For fans of Ballykissangel or Monarch of the Glen, Rough Diamond is sure to be a runaway favourite.
Episode 1- Saturday, October 11 at 7:30pm
Aidan Doherty is about to sell his late father's business to successful racehorse trainer, neighbour and affluent owner of Firebrand stables, Charlie Carrick. Racked with guilt at the part he played in his father's death, Aidan is off to begin a new life in Australia. When hapless local man Hogan arrives with a strung-out colt aptly named Rough Diamond, Aidan walks away, determined not to get drawn back to the yard.
Meanwhile, a young English boy, Jonah turns up at the stables asking for Aidan. The yard is mayhem, with Charlie trying to get his contracts signed and the colt misbehaving, and Aidan is forced to try to calm the agitated horse. A dumbstruck Jonah watches in awe as Aidan works his magic on the angry colt.
With the colt now calm and everyone distracted, Jonah climbs on Rough Diamond and takes off across the fields. Charlie's daughter and experienced rider, Sheridan, gives chase, but she can't catch the colt. She returns to the yard to tell Aidan that Jonah is in trouble. She also reveals Jonah's identity. Aidan, unable to believe it, goes in search of the boy.
But the colt has got the better of the teenager and the only trace of Jonah that Aidan can find is a random betting slip. When he turns up at the betting shop, the punters fall silent. It is the first time Aidan has been there since his father's death, but he finds Jonah and returns the slip so that the boy can claim his winnings.
Back at the yard, the pressure is on. Aidan must sign the contracts or risk losing half of Charlie's very generous offer. With the pen at the ready, what will he do?
Available on iView