SIXTEEN combinations came forward for the Flexible five-year-old Championship, eight from both qualifiers earlier in the week. It was leading young rider Timmy Brennan, fresh off winning team silver at the young rider European championships two weeks ago, who took the spoils.

This time, Brennan partnered the Emerald Van’t Ruytershof-sired mare GCS Ruby to victory, double clear in 30.25, winning by one second. “GCS Ruby is a home-bred mare whose pedigree is very impressive,” Brennan told The Irish Field. “Her dam GCS Athena jumped to 1.50m with Canadian rider Amy Miller and grandam MHS Attraction jumped to 1.60m with Spanish rider Sergio Alvaro Moya. Ruby’s brother Augustus Z won the seven-year-old final at Lanaken last year. The plan is to finish up Ruby for the season, collect embryos over the winter time and then aim her at the six-year-old classes next year.”