JACK Ryan finished a hugely successful three months in the UAE with victory in the two-star Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi on Friday night.

It was his third win of the week at the venue and third victory in a world ranking class during the three-month stint. Riding for Team Z7 in Shane Breen’s absence (he was at the five-star show in Doha), Ryan rode the 10-year-old stallion Colmar in the feature two-star class.

Some 48 combinations started over the 1.45m track and Ryan was joined by one other, Egypt’s Mohd Osama El Borai with Hannah-Gold, in the jump-off. Ryan produced another foot-perfect clear round against the clock in 43.65 seconds, and when El Borai was eliminated, victory and €8,143 were his.

Speaking about the talented stallion, Ryan said he expects Breen to take over on Colmar from here. “Colmar was very good. He is only really getting going now and he jumped amazing last night. I’d like to thank Shane for letting me ride him. It probably will be my last spin on him but it was grand to get the win on him!” he said.

A double for Guminka

The 18-year-old Kilkenny native had earlier claimed the two-star 1.35m class aboard Brian Cassidy’s nine-year-old gelding Guminka. The combination were fastest of five double clear rounds in 41.06, ahead of South Africa’s Naser Al Shawwaf and Fulla (0/0 43.05). Tipperary’s Trevor Breen slotted into fifth place with Medoc de Toxandria (0/0 44.60).

Ryan and Guminka also landed victory in Thursday’s 1.30m two-phase, beating his Team Z7 teammate Georgie Tame (Britain) into second place with the Irish Sport Horse Z Seven Canya Dance (Can Ya Makan x Cavalier Royale), bred by Anne Hughes. In the five-star ranks, Ryan guided the Peter Rice-bred eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse KBS Major Player to third place in Thursday’s 1.45m Table A. Owned by Kennedy Bros Sport Horses, the OBOS Quality-sired gelding was clear in 71.37 seconds to earn €3,810.

Three world ranking victories have seen Ryan jump 204 places in the latest world rankings to 365th place. He struggled to pick a highlight from the tour. “I am very privileged to have this opportunity. I would like to thank Team Z7, Maitha (Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and all the Breen Team and everyone that is involved.

“This sets me up well [for the year]. It is easy when you are riding good horses to make good results so hopefully we can keep it going for the rest of the year,” Ryan added.