AS defending champion, Headford’s Raphael Lee is putting himself in a good position to take the Sven Hadley Transport Connaught Grand Prix League title once again after winning the seventh leg, kindly sponsored by Kenny Motors Galway, at Corrandulla Show in Co Galway last Sunday.

The hard-working committee and volunteers at Corrandulla once again gave an exhibition in how to run an agricultural show in this modern age and the huge crowds that turned out demonstrated how the public will support well organised shows.

Lee was dominant when landing victory with John Lee’s Captain Marko, at the beginning of what was a great week for the combination, going on to win the seven/eight-year-old RDS qualifier in Galway on Wedensday. He also took the runner-up position in Corrandulla with MD Daddys Dollars, also owned by his uncle.

SECOND WIN

That win was the second of the season for the well-bred eight-year-old Captain Clover-sired gelding, who is out of a Kannan dam.

Victory in the opening leg at Ard Chuain, fifth in Galway Equestrian Centre and runner-up at Headford last month sees them on 33 points.

Eight riders managed to keep a clean sheet in the first round but only Lee, with his two mounts, and Olive Clarke could repeat that performance for a second round clear.

Clarke slotted into third place with Lauren Kardel’s Aimoise Valiere.

Wesley Ryan put in a fast round with Bernhard but four faults meant he has to settle for fourth, ahead of Thomas O’Brien and Miss Darco in fifth.

Shane Goggins came out on top in the Eurohome.ie Step Up 1.25m League aboard Ballywalter Farms’ Baila Du Loup, ahead of Damien Griffin in second with Qualilas and Daniel McAlinden aboard Leanorth Grey Matter.

Ultra consistent at this level, Aoife McCabe kept up her winning streak in the 1.10m division, winning both the Hygeia 1.15m Connaught Development League and the 1.10m Top Oil Ladies qualifier with Carramore Oasis, repeating victories in both Galway County and Headford.

CONNEMARA RING

Ciaran Curran’s Glencarrig Princess Katie (Glencarrig Knight – Glencarrig Princess) won her fourth Junior Championship of the season after taking the three-year-old filly class and went on to receive the reserve Supreme Champion sash.

Tom McDonagh’s My Voon Star-sired two-year-old filly winner Clontuskert Hilary was pulled in as reserve junior champion.

The supreme honours on this occasion went to Damien Gorham with his Donnhill Misty Dawn, winner earlier of the seven to nine-year-old mare class and the champion mare division, where Peter O’Malley’s Glenlo Lady, winner of the 10-year-old and older class, was reserve.

By Currachmore Cashel and out of April Dawn Lady, the seven-year-old mare Donnhill Misty Dawn also took the supreme sash at Claregalway Agricultural show this season.

Always hailed as one of the best agricultural shows in the west, Corrandulla attracted record numbers last Sunday with a huge entertainment area, vintage display, domestic arts and cattle shows.

Galway football captain Damien Comer was also in attendance with the Connacht Championship cup and he happily posed with fans and signed autographs for them.