KILKENNY’s Ger O’Neill put his first win on the board last Saturday in the SJI Autumn Grand Prix at Wexford Equestrian in the Sweeney Walsh and Co Insurance-sponsored feature.

Overall it was a profitable outing for Castlefield Sport Horses as they took three of the top placings in the line-up. O’Neill, who was riding the eight-year-old Mr Castlefield, delivered a double clear in a time of 34.11 seconds and took home the winner’s share of the €3,000 on offer. Speaking afterwards, Ger O’Neill said: “It was a great day for Castlefield with Emma (McEntee) taking the runner-up spot and Dylan (Savage) taking sixth place. We are lucky to have these two riders. Emma’s parents have done a great job and she has a great grounding.

“Dylan has been with us for three years and has worked with all the young horses. He has now moved up to competing at Grand Prix level. This move up is testimony to his hard work. I am delighted for both of them.

“Regarding Mr Castlefield, he is a very exciting horse to have. He was second in Barnadown in the seven/eight year-olds and the plan now is to take in some international shows with him. Similarly, Far West De Hus is a super horse and we are looking forward to seeing what he does next year.

“I would like to thank Wexford Equestrian who ran a great show. The surface and course designing was excellent. They made the right choice to go as a two-phase as we would have been jumping in the dark, if they didn’t make the call.”

Bred by Zemsky Hrebcinec, Mr Castlefield is an eight-year-old gelding by Heartbreak ZH out of the Faust Z-sired Sofa. Formerly called Solomon, this gelding is new to the Irish circuit having started his campaign here in June. The gelding was previously campaigned by English rider Anna Power up to CSI3* level. At Millstreet in June, under the guidance of O’Neill, he took the runner-up place in the two-star 1.35m. Last October under the command of Kevin Gallagher, he competed in Vejer de la Frontera. Among his good results was third in the CSI3* 1.35m two-phase and fifth in the CSIO3* 1.45m class.

In total 26 lined out for this round, and from those, 15 delivered clears in the first round and eight delivered double clears. Due to unforeseen circumstances, this round was jumped as a two-phase special as opposed to a jump-off class.

Chased home

O’Neill was chased home by young rider Emma McEntee who was also riding another Castlefield-owned charge, the seven-year-old gelding Far West De Hus. This combination was just over a second slower, stopping the clock with nothing to add in a time of 35.27. They impressed last week in the round at Killossery Lodge where they took the win.

Bred by S.A.R.L Haras De Hus, the seven-year-old Belgian-bred by Cornet Obolensky out of the Lefevre-sired Blankonette III, competed with O’Neill at Lanaken in 2021 and earlier this year, was campaigned by Jason Foley at Vejer de la Frontera. The partnership also took a win in the seven/eight-year-olds at the Dublin Horse Show this year. McEntee took over the ride after Dublin.

Waterford’s Gemma Phelan also kept all the poles in place with Victoria Foster’s ABC Ballycruise, but in a slower time of 36.11. Bred by Patrick Kehoe, the eight-year-old gelding by Cruising out of the Diamond Lad-sired Arctic Diamond, has clocked up some good results this season, including second place in the series at Sceillig. In June they also took fifth place in the National Grand Prix at Coilog Equestrian.

A clear from Jamie Landers and the eight-year-old Skelwith Diamond Lady in a time of 37.26 saw them take fourth place. Owned by David Hedley, the mare is by Kalaska De Semilly out of the Balou Du Rouet-sired Skelwith Lady Delilah.

Edward Doyle Jnr added to his leaderboard tally with Quick Bill when they also delivered a clear, albeit in a slower time of 39.63 for fifth place. Bred by Edward Doyle Senior, the nine-year-old gelding is by Flexible out of the Quick Star-sired Nalmund De La Tourette. Completing the top six line-up was Dylan Savage and the seven-year-old Kelstone, clear in 41.69. Owned by Savage and bred by SJ De Groot, the gelding is by Grand Slam VDL out of the Cantos-sired Gheminka.