LAST Friday, the Maryville three-day show kicked off, with 51 combinations battling it out in Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35m Munster Grand Prix League.

Following some tough competition, it was Ger O’Neill and Dondoctro Ryal K who took the honours when they delivered a clear in a time of 25.82 seconds.

Owned by Cynthia Murphy, Dondoctro Ryal K is a 10-year-old stallion by Indoctro out of the Ahorn-sired dam, Toverfee S. Bred by J. Kazemier, Dondoctro Ryal K is a proven stallion with a host of youngstock on the ground, some of whom are already showing great promise.

O’Neill has qualified the home-bred Castlefield Mathilda, a five-year-old (Dondoctro Ryal K x Zicarla T) for the Dublin Horse Show while Jason Foley has qualified the six-year-old Castlefield Sapphire (Dondoctro Ryal K x Castlefield Sylvia).

The stallion was sourced by O’Neill and was purchased in Holland from Bert Van de Oetelaar as a three-year-old, before being sold on to the late Eamonn Murphy.

As a young horse, the stallion impressed in the aged classes, and was a finalist in the five, six and seven-year-old classes in Dublin Horse Show, before going on to a successful Grand Prix career.

CONNORS ON TOP

Francis Connors opted on the side of caution with Damien Conway’s eight-year-old mare HVL Consun and it paid off, as he lodged a clear in 26.91 for second place.

This result cements this combination’s lead on the leaderboard as they have accumulated 38 points. With only three rounds remaining, Connors’ closest rivals are Sven Hadley (Sumas Taloubet) and David Moran (Derg Showtime).

Kerry rider Maura Counihan also kept all the poles in place with Killerisk Minnie in 27.46 for third. Eddie Moloney accounted for the next two placings as he slotted into fourth with Seaview Shuttfly, clear in in 27.60.

He returned to take fifth with MHS Quinton when he crossed the line clear, in 28.04. Fellow Kilkenny rider Tholm Keane completed the line-up when he delivered a clear with Future Storm in 28.13.