OFFALY’s Darragh Kenny made the perfect start to the five-star London Olympia Horse Show when winning two classes on the opening day.

Kenny landed victory in Wednesday’s feature 1.55m Santa Stakes aboard Ann Thompson and Everlong LLC’s Cassini Z (Cassini II x Capone). A total of 11 combinations made it through to the jump-off at the brilliant Olympia arena, and Kenny’s clear in 29.87 seconds was one hundred of a second faster than British runner-up Robert Whitaker and Catwalk IV to earn him €6,750.

He then went on to win the 1.50m one round speed class by over two seconds aboard Carlson, a 10-year-old gelding by Contendro I, owned by Carlson 93 Syndicate LLC. Britain’s William Funnell took the runner-up place with Billy McCain.

Kenny’s other result came in the 1.40m Welcome Stakes when he guided Billy Dorito to second place behind Dutchman Doron Kuipers.

Speaking about Cassini Z’s winning round, Kenny said: “I am very lucky, I know that he is a very naturally quick horse so I don’t have to overdo it, if I ride a good round normally he will be within the top three.”

On his plan for the weekend, he added: “To try and win a lot! No, he will save now until the World Cup on Sunday and the Grand Prix on Sunday.

“It’s always nice to win the first day at a big show like this. I really really enjoy this show, it’s an amazing horse show, they do a fantastic job, so I love to come here and I love to have success here, so it’s always nice to start the week right.”