LUKE Campbell emerged victorious in the Greenvale Horse Transport 1.35m Mini Grand Prix at Portmore Equestrian Centre last Sunday. Riding Derryinver Truffle, he was fastest of the six double clears to take home the lion’s share of the £1,000 prize fund. This is the second good result for this pair of late, having finished fourth the week before at The Meadows.
Luke, who owns Applemount Sport Horses, is from a small village in Antrim called Lower Ballinderry and has 14 horses in training between competition horses, breakers and horses for sale. Luke also spends time training up and coming young riders.
Owned by David Campbell and bred by Tom and Linda Magee, the eight-year-old gelding is by Tornesch out of the Cruising-sired Icing. The gelding began his career with Catherine Thornton and was taken over by Campbell as a six-year-old. Since then, the combination has enjoyed much success in the aged classes and now up to Grand Prix level.
Jonathan Smyth added to his record as he took the runner-up spot with CAFRE Olympic Dream, when he was less than a second behind, when he clocked 34.97 seconds. Bred by CAFRE, the eight-year-old mare is by Mermus R out of the Concorde (KWPN)-sired ISHD First Light. The mare is a half-sister to ISHD Dual Star (by Quick Star).
Sean Monaghan put in a gallant attempt with Lisbane Aladdin, but despite leaving all the poles in their cups, a clear in 35.08 proved only good enough for third place. Owned by Linda Courtney and bred by Eric Peel, the nine-year-old gelding is by Casall out of the Gelvin Clover-sired Lisbane Miss Clover.
Jonathan Smyth took another share of the prize fund when he delivered a clear with Premier Spirit, in 36.28 for eventual fourth. Owned and bred by Dominic Rice, the seven-year-old gelding is by Premier Sport out of the Hermes De Reve-sired Premier Hope.
Fifth place belonged to Emma McEntee who was riding Sheikh Samir Mirdad’s Mirdads Zamzaam, clear in 36.99. This 10-year-old mare is by Mermus R out of the Cruising-sired Playgirl.
Shannon Robinson played it safe with Chardonnay and the careful approach paid off as he delivered the final clear in 39.55 for sixth place. Owned by Joy Robinson, the 11-year-old German-bred mare is by Diarado out of Sophie I.
Win for McKee
The earlier 1.20m saw 43 combinations battle it out and it was a highly competitive class with the top six coming home within 35 seconds. Leading the victory lap was Melissa McKee and Diamond Beach Babe, clear in 28.42 seconds. Owned by Robert McKee and bred by Norman Watt, the mare is well related being by Beach Ball and out of the Coveres Diamond Boy-sired Coeveres Dream Girl.
Fractions behind was junior rider Niamh McEvoy aboard her mother Maeve’s LMD Douglas Swatch, clear in 29.83. Orla McGlynn also kept the poles in place with Morris and Elaine Smyths’s Elamo Lux Like a Real One, but in a slower time of 31.70 for third.
Nicholas Bothwell partnered Always on My Mind to a clear in 32.08 for eventual fourth. Always on My Mind is no stranger to success having jumped up to Grand Prix level with James Hogg. Accounting for fifth place was Charlotte Harding and Velvet Flare, clear in 32.66. James Hogg completed the top-six line-up when he delivered a clear with Poker Face JS in 34.02.