THE third round of the Gain Alltech Autumn Series took place last Saturday at Garranemore Equestrian, with 65 combinations taking on the 1.35m track. Taking the win was Camryn Clarke and Conto De Reve, when fastest of nine double clears in a 10-way jump-off (31.11 seconds).
Speaking after the win, Clarke said: “I am delighted at the win, as it was a strong class. Conto has been very consistent this season and, thankfully, it is continuing this way. I was last to go in the jump-off, so I had a chance to see a few others go. He is a naturally fast horse and, without trying, he was the fastest in the first round. It was hard to see where the time was made up, as he is so quick across the ground.
“It was a nice course and it really suited us on the day.”
This is the second big win for the combination in recent weeks, having claimed victory in the Karlswood Indoor Derby at his home venue of Cavan Equestrian. This 13-year-old gelding, who was bred by Noleen Kieran, is by Hermes De Reve and is out of the Conto-sired Odessa.
In form
Fellow young rider Daisy McNamara took the runner-up spot with Caspetito Z, when they were just over a second behind in 32.49. This combination has also been in form, taking third in the Munster Grand Prix final the week before in Tipperary and took the win in the Munster Grand Prix in Maryville at the start of September. This 13-year-old gelding is by Cassio Vh Sonnishof out of the Hors La Loi II-sired dam Zaire.
Seamus Hughes Kennedy and the home-bred HK Fury accounted for third place, when they kept all the poles standing in 33.22. An eight-year-old gelding, HK Fury is by Luidam out of the Lux Z-sired dam Imperious Lux.
Robert Splaine’s clear round with Laranco in 34.56 saw them take fourth. Owned by Sandra Devine, the 10-year-old gelding is by Bustique and is out of the Garanco mare Aranca. This is the second good placing for this pairing in the series, having claimed fifth in the round at Glenamaddy at the end of September.
Young rider Jill Greene and Rockview Indigo Blue accounted for fifth when they stopped the clock in 35 seconds. Bred by Diarmuid and Dan Killeen, the nine-year-old mare is by Zirocco Blue VDL and is out of the Lordanos-sired dam, B-La Palma.
Completing the top six line-up was Lt Erin Crawford and the eight-year-old Glenaboy River, coming home in 36.09. An eight-year-old mare, she was bred by Jack O’Donohue and is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and out of Clover Brigade.
O’Meara one-two
It was a good day at the office for Liam O’Meara, as he took first and second in the Gain Alltech Autumn Series 1.20m one-round speed class.
Riding his own Sir Jim Jim, he delivered a clear in 61.82. Not content with the win, he also secured the runner-up place with Willie O’Dea’s six-year-old Gaulross Cornerado, when he kept everything standing in 62.23. Fractions behind, with a clear in 62.38, was Robyn Moran aboard Brian O’Malley’s seven-year-old Clever Quay.
Junior rider Gavin Doyle answered all the questions with Helsinki in 64.98 for fourth, followed by fellow junior rider Karl Thompson, who was riding Diane Williams’ seven-year-old Rosco Alienne 2, clear in 67.96. Jill Greene also collected in this class, claiming sixth with BGS Biscaya View, with a clear in 68.87.