SLIGO’s Darragh Kerins finished his winter circuit in Florida with a podium finish in the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix last weekend behind German winner Andre Thieme and Mexico’s Eduardo Menezes.

In the richest class to take place in 2021 so far, Kerins rode Eve Jobs’ Lissino over the big technical track designed by Bernardo Cabral from Portugal. Explaining his building strategy, Cabral said: “It was a big field, so I thought it was a hard class to put together.

“I didn’t make it overly big but it was technical and I thought asked a lot of questions to the riders, but also left an easy way out for the horses if there was a mistake by the pilot.”

Kerins also described the track as “careful and airy” and he was one of eight from the huge start list of 65 to make it through to the jump-off. He was joined in the second round by fellow Irishman Jordan Coyle who guided two mounts – Ariso and Eristov – to clear first rounds, as well as US veteran McLain Ward and Schuyler Riley.

Just three combinations managed to complete the round against the clock without fault, and it was Thieme who took the top spot and $350,000 with Chakaria in a blistering time of 34.39 seconds to, remarkably, win his fourth HITS $1 Million Grand Prix.

“I think everybody can tell by now that this class means something to me! It’s my goal every year and while I’m not giving away other classes, I definitely don’t put as much effort toward some of the other classes,” said Thieme.

Menezes slotted into second place with H5 Chaganus with a clear in 35.69 seconds, just ahead of Kerins and Lissino who earned $120,000 for their double clear effort. McLain Ward’s time of 34.70 would have been good enough for the runner-up position with HH Azur, but four faults meant they had to settle for fourth.

Coyle finished fifth with Ariso, finishing with four faults in 35.21 second, and seventh with Eristov when picking up eight faults.

“This is right up there in my list of accomplishments. It’s absolutely amazing. I was fourth in the Million one-time in Saugerties and third today,” Kerins said afterwards.

Speaking to The Irish Field this week, he added: “It was a brilliant way to finish the season. It was one of the biggest fields they have ever had for a Million [Grand Prix] and on paper it was really strong.”

Kerins got the ride on the 10-year-old stallion Lissino, by Limbus, six months ago from Eve Jobs. “I’ve been riding him for six months, he is owned by Eve Jobs and Eddie Macken, who trains Eve, helps me with the horse. She sent me the horse during Covid-19 when she wasn’t showing. We made a plan that this was the aim and thankfully it worked out.”

Kerins is now making a plan for the summer months. “Wellington is home and we are here for probably another month. We will probably be between Kentucky, Tryon and the new equestrian centre in Ocala for most of the summer.”

While his parents, Noeleen and Francie, couldn’t get to Florida this year, they were all watching at home on the live stream, and his son Daniel was on hand to help him in Ocala. “With these times, my parents didn’t get to come and they would normally be over a couple of times during the season, but they were all watching on the live stream at home and they are all delighted.

“Daniel was there with me last week. He is flying it, he just moved up and is doing the high juniors, and he actually won a class at the WEC in Ocala.”