SLIGO's Kevin Gallagher and the Irish Sport Horse Ballypatrick Flamenco came out victorious in a hotly contested opening round of the 2021 Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series at Barnadown in Co Wexford, where just 200ths of a seconds separated the top two finishers.

Ten combinations made it through to the jump-off and Gallagher posted what proved the winning performance when he crossed the line clear in 33.82 seconds with the 11-year-old gelding owned by Greg Broderick's Ballypatrick Stables.

Clem McMahon with Hilton Pacato (ISH) claimed the runner-up spot with another clear in 33.84, while third place went to Francis Derwin Jnr with AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH) with the only other double clear in 36.38.

Daren Hopkins and Numero Cruise were the fastest of the four fault scores from the jump-off to finish fourth, while fifth place went to Greg Broderick and Gradje O, just ahead of Jason Foley and and MHS Jersey Girl who completed the top six.

The second leg of the Horse Sport Ireland Premier Series will take place at Portmore on May 23rd.

Breeding details

1st Ballypatrick Flamenco (ISH) – 2010 gelding by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP) out of Cruise Leaf (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Noel Cawley, Co. Kildare. Owner Greg Broderick Ballypatrick Stables

2nd Hilton Pacato (ISH) – 2009 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Cavalier Lagan (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Peter Rice, Co. Monaghan. Owner: Hilton Farm. Rider: Clem McMahon (IRL)

3rd AHG Whiterock Cruise Down (ISH) – 2009 stallion by Cruisings Mickey Finn (ISH)[TIH] out of Whiterock Touch (ISH) by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Ann Gannon Clancy, Co. Longford. Owner: Francis Derwin.

Source: Horse Sport Ireland press release