IT could not have been tighter at the top in Hollypark Stables last Saturday, when veteran Francis Connors and young rider Daisy McNamara shared first place in the Premier Performance 1.40m National Grand Prix.
Both combinations broke the finish beams at exactly the same time of 39.40 seconds to share the €4,000 prize fund.
McNamara set the pace aboard Caspetito Z as first to go in the jump-off, a lead she held throughout the 11-strong decider, until the final pair in, Francis Connors and Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, matched her time.
Speaking after the win, Connors told The Irish Field about his mare: “I bought her as a six-year-old. She has a pretty good record; having placed well at 1.40m and 1.50m. She has also finished well in several ranking classes in Spain earlier in the year, as well as placing third in the Millstreet Grand Prix.
“It was a competitive class with a fast jump-off; there were some very good rounds in it.
"It was big enough, with plenty of room to have a bit of a gallop. There were a couple of turns to the last.
“I had watched Daisy go and I didn’t think I could match her round, but luckily I did. She was first to go and I was last to go.
“I’ll go to the Breeders’ Classic next. We will do the 1.40m and the Premier there. I hope to go to Barnadown for the Premier there also.”
Owned by the rider, along with his daughters Jenny and Kate Connors, Carrigshawn Vendi Royal is 10 years old by Dondoctro Ryal K out of Carrigshawn Vendi (Ars Vivendi) and was bred by John Warner.
McNamara added: “I’m delighted with the result. To share the win with an iconic rider like Francis Connors is special. It’s my first National Grand Prix win. I went first, so I knew that with so many prestigious and experienced riders coming after me that I would have to just go and try to do my best and hope that was enough.
“For a big horse, Caspetito is very careful. He’s very smart too. He knows where the poles are and doesn’t want to touch them. He always tries his best. He enjoys his job and loves jumping, particularly the jump-off.
“He’s quick across the ground. If I move up and take a flyer I know he’ll clear it, I can be confident with him. He is clever and is a bit of a gentle giant. I knew I had done an extra stride from the triple bar to the double; it was eight and I went down in nine, so I knew I had to make it up somewhere. Coming back to the final fence, I went as tight as I possibly could and I think that really helped.
“I think we will try to do the National Grand Prix at the Breeders’ Classic and possibly the 1.50m Premier also. I did my Leaving Certificate this year. I just got my results and am waiting for college offers at the moment, so it’s been a big week in our house.”
A total of 25 combinations lined out for the 14th leg of the 16-round league. Of these, just 11 produced a first-round clear to progress to the decider.
Connors and McNamara divided first place on 39.40, while third place went to Liam O’Meara and his own Belgian-bred gelding Cevann in 39.50.
Fourth place went to Robert Splaine aboard his own and Story Horse Farm’s Coolcoran Lachlann (Goodluck Vdl x Dicksgrove Colleen), bred by John O’Sullivan.
Junior Kian Dore and Michael O’Sullivan’s home-bred gelding WHS King Lincoln (Mr Lincoln B x Lux Z) took fifth in 40.73, while Rhys Williams rode his family’s Dutch-bred eight-year-old Mac Fly into sixth place.
The next and final round of the 1.40m Premier Performance National Grand Prix league takes place at the Irish Breeders’ Championships in Barnadown, Co Wexford.
Kennedy wins 1.30m
Paul Kennedy guided his own eight-year-old gelding Chapeau V to the top spot in the 1.30m two-phase class at Hollypark Stables on Saturday afternoon, which was sponsored by Oaklane Sporthorses. A competitive field of 41 combinations saw some 19 riders deliver a double clear round, with Kennedy the fastest of these in a time of 36.35.
Junior Lauren Quinn and Marie Burke’s home-bred CES Sonny Lady (Chippison x Brilliant Lad) came closest to catching them in 36.79 for the runner-up spot. Third place went to Robert Splaine riding Sandra Devine’s Dutch-bred Laranco in 37.15.
Hermies VH Bergerhof Z, ridden by Kian Dore, dominated in the 1.20m two-phase at Hollypark Stables, seeing off stiff competition from the 58 contenders.
Some 25 of the starters managed to keep a clean sheet through both phases. Dore’s very quick second round time of 33.77, almost four seconds ahead of his closest rival, assured him the win.
Niall Walsh’s seven-year-old Longfield Hazel (Jaguar Mail x Luidam), bred by Caroline and Padraig Mullins, was guided by Stephen Gibbons into the runner-up spot in 37.57. Ashleigh McNamara and her family’s six-year-old mare Inislusky Diamond took third place in 37.93.