MAYO's Michael G. Duffy and the Irish Sport Horse Lapuccino 2, owned by Carl Hanley Sport Horses, took a commanding victory in today’s (Sunday) four-star Grand Prix at Vejer De la Frontera in Spain, to add to an excellent run of Irish results.

They finished with almost two seconds to spare over British runner-up Joseph Stockdale with Equine America Cacharel, while Swiss star Steve Guerdat finished third with Albfuehren’s Maddox.

Speaking afterwards, Michael G. Duffy highlighted how Lapuccino - bred by Galway's Sven Kapp - is a special horse for him:

“Today’s course was very tough, with high-level riders and only six horses that finished without faults. I didn’t do anything crazy [in the jump-off]. I stayed fast all the way and on the last line I pushed even more, I think that was where I saved time. Lapuccino has been with me for five or six years and with each passing year he makes things better. He has taken me all over the world and I adore him. Today he gave everything for me and winning this Grand Prix is very special.”

The four-star win for Duffy and Lapuccino 2 (ISH) came less than 24 hours after Wexford’s Bertram Allen and the Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro took victory in the five-star Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, USA.

Breeding

Lapuccino 2 (ISH) – 2008 stallion by SIEC Livelllo (HOLST) out of Cabaret III (BHD). Breeder: Sven Kapp, Co. Galway. Owner: Carl Hanley Sporthorses GmbH. Rider: Michael G. Duffy (IRL)

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release