IRELAND got off a flying start at the 2017 Horse of the Year Show at the Genting Arena (NEC) in Birmingham last week when Waterford’s Anthony Condon won the opening international class, one of three international wins for the country.

Riding John Hales’ eight-year-old grey mare Zira VH Kapelhof Z (Zurich x Quickfeuer Van Koekshof) Condon won the Grandstand Welcome Stakes in spectacular fashion to collect £3,300.