SUNDAY’S four-star 1.55m Grand Prix in Doha was a competitive class, with a tricky course catching out numerous combinations in the first round. Neal Fearon and the 14-year-old stallion Cocktail de Talma, owned by Deirdre Reilly, finished in sixth place from a start list of 33. The pair were among just six who jumped clear in round one, but they opted to withdraw from the jump-off. Four combinations completed double clear rounds.

The class was won by Harry Charles (GBR) on Casquo Blue in a jump-off time of 38.20, who took home €60,000 for his efforts, ahead of Scott Brash (GBR) on Hello Folie (38.48) in second for €40,000 and Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj (THA) on the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Maxwin Kinmar Bespoke (O-Piloth x Absolutely Kingmar Z by Aganix du Seigneur), bred by Gerrard Marron, in third (40.14) for €30,000. Another well-known Irish Sport Horse gelding, ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold x Clonaslea by For Pleasure), bred by Ennisnag Stud, was ridden into fourth place by Anastasia Nielsen (MON) when they jumped double clear in 40.50 for a €20,000 prize. Fearon pocketed €10,000 for sixth place.

Placings

Two riders represented Ireland at the four-star show at Al Shaqab, Doha in Qatar, namely Fearon and Reilly, while a number of Irish Sport Horses performed well at the show. The HH The Father Amir’s Prix 2026 saw classes running from Friday, January 2nd until Sunday, January 4th.

There was a fourth-place finish for Britain’s Harry Charles in the 38-strong two-star 1.45m speed class on Saturday, when he rode the now 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion Bandit (OBOS Quality 004 x Cruisings Micky Finn) to a clear round in 67.23. The class was won by fellow Brit Millie Allen on board Quick Diamant HR in 64.86.

Reilly secured eighth place in the two-star 1.30m two-phase special with her own 12-year-old mare Odiamant Van ‘T Laar.

There were 34 on the start list, of whom 10 jumped clear in both rounds. Reilly and her mount did so in a phase two time of 43.86.

The class was won by Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) on Dr Scarpo in a time of 32.44.