WHILE the Irish Breeders’ Classic Five-year-old Final may have got underway later than scheduled, there was no shortage of quality on display and spectators were treated to an exciting showcase of some of the sport’s future stars.

Leading the victory lap was Mikey Pender and the Marion Hughes-owned HHS Lugano, when they delivered a clear in 37.02 in the eight-way jump-off. This home-bred gelding is by Lucky Luck and out of the Vigaro-sired dam, MHS Twenty and has proved very consistent in the age classes, taking fifth in the National Balmoral Championships in July under the command of Molly Hughes Bravo.

“He’s a very careful horse and he made my job quite easy,” said Pender after his win. “Over the first three, I was quite on it, and then I could do the turn to four inside and make sure I got home. I did one more to the last to make sure to be clear, and he jumped brilliant; he’s been brilliant all week.

“It’s been a fantastic show here at Barnadown, and a big thank you to everyone at the Breeders’ Classic. It’s as good a grass arena as you’d see anywhere in the world; we’re very lucky to have such a facility here in Ireland at Barnadown.”

Susan Fitzpatrick was back in the ribbons, taking the runner-up spot with her mother Sharon’s Keatingstown Spirit, when she kept all the poles in place in 38.21. Another home-bred, this mare is by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of the Do Spiritivo-sired dam Knock-out P. She was campaigned by Eoghan Fahey for the season and among his good results was qualifying her for the Dublin Horse Show in the five-year-old classes and finished second in the first qualifier in Dublin.

Third place belonged to Niamh McEvoy, who was riding the Ballypatrick home-bred BP Goldito. They followed closely behind with a clear in 38.82. This gelding is by Stakkato Gold and out of the Elvis Ter Putte-sired dam BP Goldie, and has clocked up results in the age classes with Milan Morssinkhof and Sam Widger.

Exhibition

A clear from Robyn Moran and Fortside Exhibition in 39.41 saw them secure fourth place. Owned by Fortside Farms and bred by Margaret Bergin, this gelding is by Castlefield Kingston out of the Ars Vivendi-sired dam, Fairfield Lucky. This combination also qualified for the Dublin Horse Show this year and has clocked up a series of results in the DAFM Studbook classes.

Fifth place belonged to Eddie Moloney with his own home-bred gelding Soco Flex, when they answered all the questions in a time of 42.25. This gelding is by SHS Soco Blue and is out of the Flexabil-sired dam Flexamarenca. They also qualified for the Dublin Horse Show, as well as recording results up to 1.20m.

In May, they placed fifth in the five-year-old Masters Final at Mullingar CSI2*. This combination was also chosen to represent Ireland at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships taking place in Lanaken, Belgium, from September 16th – 20th.

Rounding off the top six was Ruben Foley and the Michael Condon-owned Celestine, when they were the last of the double clears in 44.93 seconds. Bred by Pat Magner, this mare is by Casall La Silla and is out of the Emerald Van’t Ruytershof-sired dam Helena. This combination also qualified for Dublin Horse Show, having finished fourth in the qualifier in Mullingar. They have a series of placings at 1.20m level.