MICHAEL Duffy recorded a fantastic five-star win last Friday at St Tropez. The Galway-born rider guided Jeff Ten Halven to victory when clear in 30.93 seconds in the 1.55m jump-off class to take home over €16,000 for his efforts.

From the 29 starters, just seven of 12 combinations in the jump-off delivered double clears. Duffy’s closest rival was French rider Edward Levy and Rebeca LS, who kept all the poles in place in 31.65.

Meanwhile, also at St Tropez, Co Louth’s Mark McAuley and Jasco Vd Bisschop finished as runners-up in the five-star Grand Prix at St Tropez. In total 31 combinations took up the challenge, with just seven booking their place against the clock.

McAuley was just fractions behind the winner as he delivered a clear in 45.12. Duffy also made it into the jump-off and finished sixth aboard Jeff Ten Halven when he had two down in a time of 45.13. Victory went to Egypt’s Abdel Said and Bandit Savoie after they clocked 45.12.

Earlier at the venue, the Irish duo took two top placings in Thursday’s 1.50m. McAuley took the runner-up place going clear aboard Jasco Vd Bisschop in 67.63. He was less than a second behind the winner France’s Alexa Ferrer and Encantado C’SG in 66.43.

From the 21 starters, just five clears were delivered. Michael Duffy also kept the poles up with the HMF-owned Jeff Ten Halven in 68.68. McAuley took fifth in the 1.45m with Castlefield, one of six double clears in 36.40. They were back in the ribbons when third in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix jump-off in 36.41.