IRELAND's Clem McMahon and Ivan Dalton stole the limelight today (Thursday) as the first 2016 Spring Mediterranean Equestrian Tour II young horse competitions concluded in Oliva, Spain.

In the seven-year-old class, McMahon took home the victory aboard Pacato and also placed sixth on Pacifico while in the six-year-old class, McMahon and Hilton Alibi became runners-up, close behind France’s Harold Boisset and Katinka van de Meyhoeve. All of McMahon’s three horses are sired by his late stallion Pacino.

Meanwhile, there was victory too for Ireland’s Ivan Dalton. Dalton and Lady in Black (Clinton I x Contender) won the five-year-old class by over two seconds, while Belgium’s Lieven Devos and Mr. Quality Z (Mr. Blue x Casall) settled for the runner-up position this time around after a fantastic run during Spring MET I.

Irish rider Shane O’Reilly took both the third as the fourth spot, riding Belga du Thot (Mozart des Hayettes x Rosire) and Birdy du Thot (Magic d’Elle x Le Tôt de Semilly).

McMahon said: “I have had a super day today, and the fact that all three horses are sired by Pacino makes it extra special.”

In 2012, Clem McMahon and Pacino delivered some outstanding performances – including winning the Nations Cups at Dublin and Hickstead. In February 2013, Pacino sadly passed far too early.

“Most of the horses I bought young, so it has been a long journey. I was always hoping they were good horses, but now I start think they will become three really good Grand Prix horses.

"I am here with 10 horses, of which five are sired by Pacino. I must say the young horses are going fantastic out here. The courses are great; the first day was nice and simple, the second day asked a bit more and today was a really good test for all age groups. Since the ground is unbelievable and the fences are wonderful, the young horses can really improve.”

McMahon will stay in Oliva for both MET II and MET III. “I will go home in between the tours, but the horses will obviously stay here. I am really enjoying myself out here.”

Riding great talents like Pacato, Pacifico and Hilton Alibi, Clem McMahon has high hopes for the future. “I am really blessed. I don’t think I ever had a collection of horses as good as I have at the moment.

In the seven-year-old class, McMahon defeated Belgium’s star Constant Van Paesschen riding the Diamant de Semilly-son Duanda of the Lowlands Z. Switzerland’s top-rider Marie Etter Pellegrin and Quitney (Quintender x Argentinus) finished third.

The six-year-old class was dominated by France’s Harold Boisset, who not only won the class but also finished third. Riding Katinka van de Meyhoeve (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Val T’Horens van de Padenborre), Boisset turned out to be 0.08 seconds faster than McMahon and Hilton Alibi. Aboard the Corland-daughter Katinka vh Valenberghof, Boisset ended up third.