THE Meadows Equestrian Centre played host to the ISH Studbook Series last weekend and with the series just over the half-way mark, the competition went down to the wire with little separating the top placings at the northern venue.

In the seven-year-old division, Clem McMahon emerged victorious aboard TJM Amour Fou when he crossed the line with nothing to add in 37.42 seconds.

Bred by TJM Equestrian in Kildare and now jointly owned by them and Hilton Farm, the gelding is by Diamant De Semilly out of the Cicero Z-sired Catani Z. This is the second good result for this combination having finished second in the qualifier in the series at Barnadown and fifth in the final. At the start of the year, this combination proved consistent on the European circuit with results in the CSIYH1* at Olivia.

In total, 21 went to post and the standard was high with 12 combinations proceeding to the timed round, where eight delivered double clear rounds.

Slotting into second place was Tim MacDonagh and Hollypark Pacino when they clocked 38.86. Owned by McDonagh and bred by Jackie Lee in Galway, the gelding is by Pacino out of the Lux Z -sired Hollypark. Lee has two other offspring registered from the dam, one by Tyson (2019) and the other by Guinness (2018).

Jonathan Smyth also kept the poles in place with Crystal Graf, but in a slower time of 40.04 for third. Owned by Ann Doherty and bred by her late husband, Anthony Doherty from Donegal, the gelding is a half-brother to Crystal Tom (by Silvano) who won the Grand Prix. This mare has been very successful for the Doherty family with 11 offspring registered from the dam.

Thomas O’Brien was a fraction of a second behind with Korleeonie when stopping the clock in 40.48. Owned and bred by Martin Cullinane from Galway, the gelding is by Pacino out of Windgates Mystique.

Edward Little answered all the questions with HSC Sunny Jim when they kept all the poles in place, but a slower time of 40.60 meant they had to settle for fifth place. Bred by Sarah Heather Crawford from Tyrone, the gelding is by Pacino out of Sunblest.

Jonathan Smyth was back in the ribbons taking sixth place with Premier Spirit when he crossed the line with nothing to add in 41.31. Owned by Dominic Rice and bred by Premier Sports in Armagh, the gelding is by Premier Sport out of Hermes De Rev-sired Premier Hope.

John Floody also delivered a clear with Clare Craig’s HTS Caranbreagha (41.94), as did Killian Dunne and Ballyoskill Big Bucks in 41.94.

Six-year-olds

For the first time in the series, the six-year-olds went against the clock. Taking the win was Francis Derwin when he partnered Carol Gee’s Fernhill Balou to a double clear in 39.30. Bred by Donald Clarke from Sligo, the gelding is by Sligo Candy Boy out of Miss Mac Car.

The dam has proved very successful as a broodmare. Padraig Howley bred a half-sister from Miss Mac Car - Uidam (by Luidam) who jumped up to CSI3* with Sofie Slattery before been taken over by Sven Hadley. Two others also bred by Howley out of Miss Mac Car - MMG Ruby (by Balou Du Rouet) and Sligo Blue Boy (by Chacco Blue) - went on to jump on the European circuit.

Little divided the next placing as Dermott Lennon and Millview Cicero were fractions behind in 39.90. Owned by Bronte Stables and bred by Harry Marshall, the gelding is by Cicero Z Van Paemal out of Royal Dutch.

Darren Irwin and Trebra Premier Douglas also kept the poles in place in 41.04 for third. Owned by Dessie Irwin and bred by Hugh Treanor from Armagh, the mare is by Hold Up Premier out of Trebra Frances Girl.

Richard Kerins opted for a more cautious approach with Roadstown Kimona and it paid dividends as they kept all the poles in their cups in 42.42 for eventual fourth. Owned and bred by Mattie Brennan from Sligo, the mare is by I’M Special De Muze out of Roadstown Lux.

Kenneth Graham and Tullabeg Jackson were less than a second behind, clocking 42.69 for fifth place. Bred by Nicholas Cousins in Wexford, the gelding is by Dignified Vant’ Zorgvliet out of Tullabeg Jackie. Completing the top six line-up was Catherine Thornton and Coachella, who were also clear in 44.98.

This mare was bred by Tom and Linda Magee from Armagh and is by Ustinov out of Icing. The mare is a full-sister to Dunaghmore who is campaigned on the American circuit by Ian McFarlane.

Francis Derwin also delivered a double clear with Florida Springs, but a safe time of 47.81 meant he finished just outside the line-up. Derwin had a good show as he also had a double clear in the five-year-olds with Premier Dreamer.

The winner of the TRM Breeders’ Pack was Fionnuala Kelly, breeder of Fernhill Balou Beau (ISH).

Five-year-olds

In the five-year-old division, a total of 24 lined-up to battle it out for the prize fund on offer. Young riders came to the fore with three of them delivering double clear rounds - Kate Derwin (Carrabeg Enigma), Francis Derwin (Premier Dreamer) and Molly Hughes Bravo (HHS Blue Moon).

Along with these riders, a further six combinations delivered double clears. The TRM Breeders’ pack winner in this section was Vincent Burton, breeder of Drumrankin Isaac (ISH).

(Results pages 99-102).