DANIEL Coyle announced his arrival in Europe with a bang, taking out a stellar field to win the first qualifier for the Rolex Grand Prix at Aachen on Friday with the remarkable Farrel. The 16-year-old’s story is well known now, as the diminutive horse with the heart of a lion, that has come back from four years in retirement to deliver time and again at the highest level over the past two seasons.

The duo represented Ireland and Ariel Grange’s Lothlorien Farm to stunning effect in Germany to bag the €37,500 first prize in the five-star speed class, stopping the clock in 70.99 seconds and leaving all the obstacles intact.