FIRST into the Irish Horse Board Grass Arena at Barnadown’s four-day show were the 40 combinations in the DAFM five-year-old final. With a high standard in the class, 27 of those delivered double clears and went on to share the €2,500 prize fund. Later in the day, 32 contested the six-year-old division and, of those, 12 delivered double clears to share the prize fund. These two divisions attracted a very large following, with 93 battling it out for a place in the final in the six-year-old and 101 in the five-year-olds on Saturday (all double clears on result pages).

Exciting

The final of the seven-year-olds saw 23 battle it out on Sunday afternoon. Out of the original starters, seven proceeded to the second round and, from those, five delivered double clears.

It was an exciting class with Munster young rider Coen Williams leading the victory lap with the Williams Sport Horses-owned Parc Violeta, when they posted a double clear in 37.19. Bred by Paula Williams, the mare is by Kannan and out of the Emilion-sired dam Ulanda D. This combination took second place in the round at Tipperary, behind Max Foley and HHS Lexington, who took second place in this round when they came home in 38.65. Owned and bred by Marion Hughes, the gelding is by Luidam and is out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Chantilly Lace. This combination also took the win in the round in Millstreet, with Williams and Parc Violeta finishing second. Just two points now separate the two riders on the leaderboard, with Foley having the slight advantage.

Third place was filled by Gemma Phelan and Sumas Lumen, who followed closely behind, clocking 38.69. Owned and bred by Suma Stud, the mare is by Ard VDL Douglas and out of the Master Imp-sired dam Cill Mhuire Imp. This combination also took fifth in the round in Tipperary and fourth place in Millstreet, which has moved them to the top end of the leaderboard.

Emma O’Dwyer also featured in this line-up, taking fourth with Claire Penny’s KPCM Contessina, in a time of 40.32. Bred by Glenmore Stud, this mare is by Cornet Obolensky and is out of the Emerald Vant Ruytershof-sired dam, Ellie May LVS Z. This is a new ride for O’Dwyer, with the mare formerly campaigned by Darryl Walker.

Resident rider, Sophie Richards partnered the Maurice Cousins-owned Kincullia Draco to a clear in 42.48. Bred by Andy Griffin, the gelding is by Greenvale Draco and out of Kincullia Beauty. This combination also features highly on the leaderboard, having finished fourth in the round at Tipperary.

Charles O’Reilly Hyland had one on the ground with his own Penelope 31 in 45.86 for sixth place. Bred by Sean and Ronan Judge, the mare is by Mylord Carthago and is out of the Diamant De Semilly-sired dam, Diacapella Squalls Estate Z.