MILLSTREET got off to a great start last week with their slightly later than planned Welcome Tour, but the sun shone for the top-class jumping action.
On Friday afternoon, competitors took to the main arena in Millstreet in a bid to claim the winner’s share of the €7,500 Connolly’s Red Mills Grand Prix prize fund. Claiming victory was Conor McMahon aboard the Kevin Gallagher-owned Saskia’s Boy, when they delivered a clear in 37.26 seconds. The 10-year-old Swiss-bred gelding is by Bravour and is out of Saskia. This was the second win for this combination, having claimed the honours on Thursday in the 1.35m class.
Just 25 combinations went to post and, from those, 10 booked their place against the clock. In the top six, half of those places were filled by eight-year-old horses, which demonstrated the high standard of young horses rising through the ranks.
Munster’s Kian Dore followed closely behind with WHS King Lincoln, when they left all the poles standing in a time of 38.96. Bred by Michael O’Sullivan, this eight-year-old is by Mr Linclon B and is out of the Lux Z-sired dam, Wineport Angel.
A clear from Liam O’Meara and his stallion Big Dan Rouet in 42.37 saw them take third. Owned by O’Meara’s wife Helen and bred by Michael Ryan, this 11-year-old stallion is by Querlybet Hero and is out of the Harlequin Du Carel-sired dam, Glenaguile Rose.
Slotting into fourth place was Max Foley and HHS Mexico, when they came home with nothing to add in 44.62. Owned by Bravo Hughes and bred by Ann Marie McSorley, the eight-year-old is by Luidam and out of the Clover Echo-sired dam, Gifteds Echo.
Connaught young rider, Katie Nallon and the Bob Sweeney-owned Carnlea Flamenco delivered a foot-perfect round in 46.54. Bred by Edward Little, the eight-year-old gelding is by Je T’Aime Flamenco and is out of the Quick Star-sired dam Kildowney Star.
Francis Connors and Newmarket Darsouilles claimed sixth, with a clear in 46.94. Owned and bred by Billy Daly, the eight-year-old is by Vigo D’Arsouilles and is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam, Newmarket Clare.
Last of the double clears and taking seventh place was Richard Kerins and SCS Masterpiece. Owned by Malachy Marron and bred by Deirdre Power, the nine-year-old gelding is by Ublesco and out of Comein.
1.25 Final
Taking the win in the 1.25m final was Oisin Aylward and the six-year-old Paraldine D, when they were quickest of six double clears in a time of 36.03. Over two seconds behind was Aine O’Gorman and Dangriga Des Premices Z in a time of 38.18.
Third place was filled by Anthony O’Regan and Jackie Moloney’s Chad, in a time of 40.30, ahead of Conor McMahon and Ivycoast Carrera, in a time of 41.76. Katie Nallon also featured in this line-up, taking fifth with Carrabeg The Full Irish, with a clear in 44.28, ahead of Ella Geary and Cullinaghmor Bluebelle, in a time of 45.85.
1.10m final
It was a good day for the Aylward family as Ruairí and Coppenagh Ozanna claimed this final with a clear in 38.87. He was chased home by Mark Duffy and Caraghs Trendy Master with a clear in 39.90. A clear from Victoria Golden and Glenboy Phoenix in 41.58 secured them third. Jamie Landers also featured in this final, taking fourth with The Young Offender, with a clear in 42.15, while in fifth was Ruby Murphy and Unita-K- V Kattenheye, clear in 42.42. Slotting into sixth was Richard Kerins and HHL Markievicz, clear in 43 seconds.
The first class on Tuesday, the 1.10m, saw a good entry of 86 combinations, while the 1.20m saw 72 combinations go to post. Later in the evening, 33 went to post in the 1.30m class and it was Munster Junior rider, Finbarr Hanafin and Tinarana Global Venture that claimed victory with a clear in 31.24. He was chased home by Paul Kennedy and the eight-year-old, Sirius II, with a clear in 33.60. Third place was filled by Patrick Joyce and Quidam Ollie, who also kept the poles in place in a time of 36.36.
On Wednesday, the 1.35m class was claimed by Conor McMahon and Kevin Gallagher’s Saskia’s Boy, when delivering a clear in 35.57. Jack Geaney took the runner-up place with CS Lux Chacco, clear in 37.40 and third with Next Star, clear in 37.75. Taking the win in the 1.35m class on Thursday was Rhys Williams and Preston Vant Reeroeck with a clear in 34.45. Gemma Phelan was fractions behind with Ardnore Cannan, clocking 35.44, while in third was Andrew Hodgins on Shanaclough Luichew, clear in 36.90.