INTERNATIONAL jumping kicked off at Balmoral Show on Wednesday with the Top Spec Equine Ltd International Speed Stakes, with 28 going to post. Following a great Spring Tour, Max Foley and Illusion de Hus were back in the ribbons, this time taking the win with a clear in 56.88. Foley made up time to the oxer before the double, then back to the water-tray, to the penultimate oxer and a good pace to the last.

The French-bred eight-year-old mare is by Baloubet Du Rouet and out of the Ugobak Des Baleines-sired dam, Duras De Hus. Her owners bought her as a five-year-old from France. Under the command of Foley last year, the pairing won the 1.35m North Star Classic at the Breeders’ Classic and before that finished second in the 1.10m/1.15m qualifier at the Dublin Horse Show and second in the Championship. In the Spring Tour, they took wins in Warrington, Barnadown and at the final in Coilog.

The course was up to standard and there were opportunities for those looking to make up time. Riders faced the treble early at three and then back to an oxer before the double at the hospitality side, coming off this line over a big oxer. Riders moved up to the water-tray and went left-handed to the oxer before the thatched cottage at the last.

Runner-up

English visitor James Smith and Juno Rose 23 took second place when they came home clear in 58.09. International eventer Cathal Daniels and Satelittenflieger K accounted for third with a clear in 58.66. English rider Alexander McLean and Orville Vd Watermolen’s clear in 59.06 saw them take fourth, ahead of Alex Finney and MHS Style, clear in 59.21. Following a successful weekend in Barnadown, having claimed second in the Premier Series, Jack Ryan returned to the line up to take sixth with Balou Betti, when they kept all the poles in place in 61.27.