CARLOW’s Jason Foley proved unbeatable in Barnadown as he rode to victory in the opening leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series at Barnadown last Sunday.

Riding Ger O’Neill and Martin Egan’s Castlefield Vegas (ISH), the horse which he won a junior European gold medal on in 2018, he was the fastest of eight double clears. Foley also took the runner-up spot with Castlefield Cass to take home the lion’s share of the €12,000 on offer.

Delighted with the result, Foley said it was a great day for the Castlefield team to have three horses in the line-up. “We had been in action in Spain prior to lockdown so when we got home, we kept up the training in anticipation of getting back into the ring. Both the horses are very experienced so it’s easy to switch on their competitive mode.

“I took a similar line to those ahead of me, in actual fact I took a longer line to Ger (O’Neill) on the approach to one fence. Both these horses had the advantage as they are naturally quick and it suited me to do this. It was brilliant to get back in ring and especially at Barndown as the grass arena is top class. The track demanded a bit of jumping but it was fair for the standard of the class,” he added.

No stranger to pressure, Foley knew what he had to do to be in with a chance to win, and third last to go, he left nothing to chance as he galloped home aboard Castlefield Vegas in 40.38.

Bred by John Clake from Co Cavan, Castlefield Vegas is a 10-year-old gelding by Cassino (SWB) out of Clarkes Quiet Optimistic (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN).

Prior to the lockdown, the pair were in action in Vejer de la Frontera and recorded a win in the CSI3* Table A. Under Ger O’Neill’s command in Dublin last year, Castlefield Vegas finished fifth in the Theraplate Ireland Stakes. They also formed part of the winning Nations Cup team in Uggerhalne (Denmark) and Drammen (Norway).

With the class in hand, Foley then returned with Castlefield Cass and answered all the questions again, albeit in a slower time of 40.99. Castlefield Cass is a 10-year-old gelding by Cassidee out of the Puissance-sired La Moette. Cassidee was campaigned by Ger O’Neill and competed in the young horse classes with much success. He was later sold to French rider Gregory Cottard and jumped up to CSI3* level. La Moette was campaigned to 1.20m level by Gabrielle Beijer.

Well satisfied with his weekend’s work, Foley left for Holland the next day where he will compete seven horses.

Castlefield dominates

There was a good turnout for the first round of the series with 46 combinations going to post in the 1.50m class. With a high standard on the start list, 12 of those booked their place in the second round.

There was no stopping Kilkenny-based Castlefield Sport Horses as Ger O’Neill then took the third place with MHS High Hopes. Going late in the draw, O’Neill put in a gallant attempt, posting 41.28. Owned by Sinead Brennan and bred by the late Ita Brennan, MHS High Hopes is a nine-year-old gelding by Quidam out of the Clover Royale-sired Gowran Lady.

Stephen Murphy took a more cautious approach with the Brian Murphy-owned Chantelle and lodged a clear in 43.65 for eventual fourth. Bred by Gerry Traynor, the 11-year-old mare is by Lux Z out of the Errigal Flight-sired Texaco’s Delphine. Traynor has had much success with this mare, breeding eight foals from her. The mare’s full-sister Luxs Curios, owned by Brian Murphy, was campaigned by Michael and Stephen Murphy with much success. Another full-sister, Birchwood Holly, has also been a big success for the Murphy family with a series of good results for his owners Patrick and Eoghan Murphy.

Curran clear

A clear from Capt Geoff Curran with Glengarra Wood saw him share fourth place when he crossed the line in the same time as Murphy. Bred by Myles Somers from Wexford, Glengarra Wood is a 10-year-old gelding by Capitalist out of the Cavalier Clover Lad-sired Cavalier Forest.

Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Galloway were less than a second behind, clocking 44.16 for sixth place. Bred by John McCann and owned by Jackie Lee, Hollypark Galloway is a 10-year-old by Castlelawn Galloway out of Whitestown Diamond.

Kevin Gallagher and Ballypatrick Flamenco also kept the poles in place, but their time of 45.24 meant they had to be content with seventh. Bred by Dr Noel Cawley, the 10-year-old is by Je T’Aime Flamenco out of Cruise Leaf.

Waterford’s Paul Beecher has been making his presence felt in the National Grand Prix circuit and he showed his hand at the higher level as he delivered a clear with Ikona VT Recht Eind in 48.80 for eighth. Eddie Moloney and Andiamix Hero Z were the fastest of the four-faulters in 41.44, ahead of Edward Doyle and Billy Kat (45.15).