GALWAY’s Michael Duffy earned €20,000 when he finished runner-up in the three-star Grand Prix of Valence in France last Sunday.

Riding Jane Davies’ 10-year-old gelding Egalini (Cheers Cassini x Jalisco B), the British-based rider was among 15 clears in the first round of the 1.55m class which had 52 starters. Nine of the 15 produced a second clear round against the clock, and Duffy’s time of 39.64 seconds was good enough to slot into second place.

Waterford’s Anthony Condon finished in sixth place with SFS Aristio, recently double clear in the five-star Nations Cup in Hickstead, when clear in 40.46 to earn €5,500. Mikey Pender and Mark McAuley also made it through to the jump-off, but faulted against the clock to finished 10th and 13th, respectively. Victory went to Italy’s Emaniele Gaudiano and Chalou, clear in 38.35 seconds.

Pender win

Pender won Saturday’s two-phase 1.40m aboard Marion Hughes’ eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare HHS Fortune (Catoki x Ard VDL Douglas). Their clear round in 32.50 seconds was good enough to see off France’s Megane Moissonnier and Varsovie dy Thot (0/0 32.50), and earn €2,000. McAuley slotted into third place with the eight-year-old stallion Engerupgaards Cezanne (0/0 32.61).

Pender’s other good result also came aboard HHS Fortune, in Friday’s 1.40m jump-off when they finished second. They were among six double clears in the 10-horse jump-off, just slower than Frenchman Harold Boisset and Quolita Z.

Mark McAuley finished fourth in Friday’s 1.50m Table A aboard Jasco vd Bisschop. The combination were one of 14 clear rounds in a time of 66.90.

Victory went to Belgium’s Pieter Clemens and Caldero (0/ 64.10).