RIDERS travelled to Maryville Stables last Sunday as the Cork venue played host to the second round of the Horse Sport Ireland Development league.

In the seven/eight-year-olds division, 19 combinations went to post and taking the win was Munster Grand Prix Champion Liam O’Meara. Riding his own Sir Jim Jim, he lodged the winning clear in 38.48 seconds. This seven-year-old stallion, who was bred by O’ Meara, is by Boherdale Clover out of the Errigal Flight-sired Glenaguile Flight. The dam was campaigned with O’Meara up to 2014 at Grand Prix Level.

Junior rider Seamus Hennessy followed closely behind with the Clinton Jack-sired eight-year-old Ballynoe Clinton Jack, crossing the line with nothing to add in a time of 39.12. This gelding was bred by the late Edgar Hogg. Less than a second behind was Kerry rider Maura Counihan Jnr who was aboard Ian Smyth’s own-bred eight-year-old, Cruising On The Ridge, clear in 39.52 for third place. Tadhg Beecher also featured in this line-up, taking fourth with the seven-year-old, Loughnatousa Olaf, clear in 39.90.

Paul McDermott and the seven-year-old Phyllair Clover kept all the poles in place in 40.56 for fifth place. This mare by Air Jordan Z is owned and was bred by Seamus Carew. Eddie Moloney’s clear with the eight-year-old Damma Kannan Supreme in 41.34 saw him take sixth. Owned and bred by Niall Green, the gelding is by Kannan out of Tonagh Trip The Lights. The dam was competed by John Green up to Grand Prix level up to 2019.

Hourigan takes win

In the five/six-year-old class, a total of 45 combinations battled it out for the €2,950 on offer. From the original starters, 24 delivered double clears in the two-phase class. Taking the win was Tipperary junior rider Alexander Hourigan and the six-year-old Cuffesgrange Caballus, when they clocked 34.02. Owned by Alma Hourigan and formerly owned by Clare Hughes, the gelding was bred by Eamon Sheehan and is by Quidam Junior I out of Cuffesgrange Millennium.

Only fractions behind in a time of 34.08 was Tadhg Beecher with the Tim Beecher-owned and -bred six-year-old Loughnatousa Echo for second. Not content with the victory, Hourigan also took third place with the five-year-old Eyes On Me when they stopped the clock in a time of 34.48. This gelding was bred by Breada Pollard and is by Olympic Lux.

Kilkenny’s Eddie Moloney also remained within the 34-second marker, clocking 34.76 with Ann Moloney’s home-bred five-year-old, Twain Flight, clear in 34.76.A clear from Shane Moloney and the six-year-old HHS Disney in 34.92 saw him take fifth place. Owned by Helen O’Regan and John Hoyne, bred by Marion Hughes, this mare is by Diamant de Semilly and out of HHS Fortuna. Completing the top-six line-up was junior rider Seamus Hennessy after he lodged a clear with the five-year-old Ballynoe Ronnoco Tyson in a time of 35.35. Owned by Lorcan Hennessy, this gelding was bred by Jerry O’Connor and is by Tyson.

Counihan captures victory

It was a good day for Maura Counihan Jnr as she also took the win in the four-year-olds. Riding John G Higgins’s Loughville Luxs Lui, she finished on 60.28. The mare was bred by Gearoid Griffin and is by Luidam out of Loughvilles Lady Z.

Eimear White took second place with her own Coolewest Nero by Quidam Junior on a score of 61.51, ahead of David Splaine and Con O’Sullivan’s BP Two, on 62.12. James O’Reilly and his own An Buachaill Óir took fourth place, on 62.49, ahead of Andrew Shinnick who was riding his own Asian Brandy, on a score of 62.57. David Splaine also took home sixth place when he recorded 63.78 with Christopher Bell’s Sunny Boy Max Striker.