EMOTIONS were running high at Spruce Meadows in Canada on Saturday evening when former Olympic champion Eric Lamaze won the $500,000 RBC Grand Prix of Canada on his first return to the venue after revealing he is battling a brain tumour for the last year and a half.

The first week of the Summer Series at the world famous venue was a happy hunting ground for Irish riders. Darragh Kenny claimed two five-star victories, while Daniel Coyle and his brother Jordan took one each.

Some 40 combinations went to post in the feature $500,000 Grand Prix, presented by Rolex. As always at the venue, course designer Peter Grant built a big challenging track and seven riders made it through to the jump-off, including Ireland’s Conor Swail, Jordan Coyle and Captain Brian Cournane.

Swail set the standard aboard Eadaoin Collins’ nine-year-old gelding Koss van Heiste when he was the first to post a double clear round in a time of 47.20 seconds, but Lamaze would soon follow in 46.25 to take the lead with Chacco Kid.

It came down to the final rider, world number one Steve Guerdat and his brilliant mare Albfuehren’s Bianca. Guerdat knew what he had to do to win, but broke the beam in 46.25 seconds to finish in second place and relegate Swail to third.

The next three in the line-up all beat Lamaze’s time but had faults. Beezie Madden was fourth with Coach (0/4 44.62), ahead of Canada’s Nicole Walker (0/4 45.82).

Jordan Coyle also faulted once against the clock in a time of 46.17 seconds with Elan Farm’s Eristov to finish sixth, just ahead of Cournane and his own and the Stiller family’s Armik who finished with 12 faults.

“I didn’t get up this morning thinking this was possible,” said an emotional Lamaze. “It shows what a good horse can do for you. When you don’t have the fight in you, they fight for you. It’s one the victories I will cherish forever.”

The all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows with more than $6 million in career earnings, Lamaze last won the Grand Prix title at the ‘National’ tournament in 2010 riding Hickstead.

“This is an ongoing battle for me and today is a gift,” said the 2008 Olympic Champion. “The horses are a big part of why I am here today. I don’t know what level I will continue riding at as the year goes on but I know horses will always be a part of my life. I want to keep riding and I will keep fighting every day to do this. The horse is the greatest therapy you can have.”

Lamaze’s other top result came when he won Thursday’s 1.50m jump-off with Fine Lady 5. In doing so he beat Conor Swail and GK Coco Chanel into second place.