THE ever popular Eurohomes.ie 1.35m Connaught Grand Prix kicked off last Saturday at Sligo’s Ard Chuain Equestrian Centre with 47 combinations lining out.
Following some tough competition, it was Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise who took the win when they crossed the line in a time of 35.69 seconds. Bred and owned by Daren’s grandfather Leo, and John Carey, the nine-year-old stallion is by Numero Uno out of the Cruising-sired mare Ms Cruise.
No strangers to the winner’s enclosure, Ciaran Nallon and Bally Fair Deal were fractions behind in a time of 35.81. Slotting into third place was Shane Goggins and Madame Tussaud in 36.31.
Winner of the league for the last two years, Raphael Lee got off to a good start as he piloted Captain Marko to a clear in 36.69. Sven Hadley added to his winning tally when he occupied the two next slots.
He delivered his best result with Sumas Taloubet, clear in 37.15 for fifth. He secured sixth with Uidam, clear in 38.04.
Hadley Sport Horses dominated the Coolmore-sponsored Connaught Region Step Up League. Hadley secured the win with Uidam and took second with Jessy Van De Heide. His partner, Tori Dunn, secured third with Dr Tom Reed’s Ballistic M2S, while Sven returned to take fourth with Vvood Stock De Breve.
Accounting for fifth were Katharina Wilding and Donogue Doctor George, ahead of Aoife McCabe and Ruby De Reve.
FLESK VICTORIOUS
It was a good outing for Martin Flesk who won the amateur class aboard Killuppaun Magic, chased home by Karen Boylan and Kane Flight. Taking third place in the line-up was Tara Brandon and Delight S, while slotting into fourth were Catherine Egan and Atlas R. Sharon McGowan and Somethings Gotta Give accounted for fifth, ahead of Bernadette Flaherty and Thomascourt Hula.
Winner of the Stonehall Stud-sponsored 1.10m class was Kelda Morgan riding Flyhigh Marble. Claiming the runner-up spot was Stephen Bolas with Diamond Del Bosco, ahead of Sven Hadley and Calanthe Slot. Raphael Lee Jnr was back in the ribbons fourth with Blackfield Gold while Matt Gordon took fifth with Runagry Candy. Gordon also took the win in the 1m class aboard Castlerichmond Grace. Completing the top six line-up was Richard Kerins and Aghalaan Bamboozle.
Lee Carey took the win with Furisto Cruise and second with Cruise News in the 1.15m Connaught Development league. Leona Judge and Immun Ocean Ogara took third place, ahead of Clodagh Lee and Erne Cruising Breeze. A solid performance from Monika Ehrensberger saw her take fifth with RRC Roulette, ahead of Judge and Cruising Kilkee.