Two-star Grand Prix win for Gallagher

NEWRY’s Lorcan Gallagher won the two-star $25,000 Marshall and Sterling Insurance Grand Prix at Tryon in North Carolina, USA, last Sunday.

Gallagher, who began riding for the Stinett family’s Heathman Farm since May following eight years with Shane and Ali Sweetnam, rode the 10-year-old gelding Sangris Boy to victory when posting the fastest clear rounds in the nine-horse jump-off, stopping the clock in 36.57 seconds, ahead of USA’s Adrienne Sternlicht and Cadans Z (0/0 36.68) in second and Hunter Holloway in third with Pepita Con Spita (0/0 37.79).

Ireland’s Jordan Kilkenny was the last of the double clears and slotted into fourth place with Split Rock Farm’s 11-year-old gelding Colour Your Day. Kilkenny rides for the American branch of Darragh Kenny’s Oakland Stables and Darragh himself slotted into seventh place aboard Vlock Show Stables’ 10-year-old mare Scarlett du Sart Z.

Gallagher and Sangris Boy only began their relationship in the spring but have gelled well. Speaking after the class, he said: “Sangris Boy’s long strides were a challenge in the first round, but came in handy in the jump-off. In the first round, a lot of the lines were quite short for me when they were normal for others. I was a little worried about the time allowed, but we turned tight and made it as efficient as we could.

“My horse jumped really well today so that made my life a lot easier! I knew there were a lot of fast people in the jump-off. The course had long gaps between each jump so I knew I could use the stride to my advantage. There were two rollbacks that I tried to be very tight and forward with.

“I started riding him in May, but because of Covid, we didn’t really start until we came here [to Tryon] in July. We did a few shows here then went to Michigan, so I’ve only been riding him a few months. He’s one that has a lot of potential and I think he showed that today,” Gallagher added.