VICTORY in the 1.25m All Ireland Speed Championship belonged to Gerard Clarke and his loyal servant Ardragh Stein.

Having produced the 13-year-old gelding, who is by Ekstein and out of the Clover Hill-sired dam Seamar, from his four-year-old year, he has been ultra-consistent in both the young rider and senior ranks for Clarke. The pairing were over a second faster than their closest rivals when stopping the clock in 45.76.

“I am delighted with the win. Cavan has always proved lucky for me as we have clocked up a series of wins there, including a Grand Prix win,” he said afterwards. “I bought Ardragh Stein here as a three-year-old and I bought Fabio M here also as a three-year-old and Kellswater Crimson as a seven-year-old,” before adding that Ardragh Stein would be sold at Cavan next month.

Regarding the course, he added: “It was straightforward enough with no surprises. I had a bit of an upper hand as I had gone early with Fabio M and knew where I could make up the time. I was chasing Paul Carroll, but I didn’t get to see his round. I knew Ardragh was quick against the clock and just went for it.”

As expected it was a competitive class with 65 riders battling it out for the prize fund. Amateur rider Paul Carroll was hot on the winners heals when he posted a very quick clear with Castleroche La Roche in a time of 47.04 for second.

Tomas O’Brien and Miss Darco left all the poles in place in a slower time of 47.21 for third, just ahead of Peter Smyth and Cooleyhill Bonzo who slotted into fourth place when clear in 48.07. Winners of the 1.20m on Wednesday and the 1.30m speed on Friday, Sven Hadley and Victoria Z took their place in the line-up when clear in 48.09 seconds for fifth place.

Rosalie Biedron completed the top six line-up when she partnered LVS Wizard into sixth place in 48.33.