INTERNATIONAL jumping kicked off at Balmoral Show on Wednesday with the Top Spec Equine Ltd International Speed Stakes, with 28 going to post. Following a great Spring Tour, Max Foley and Illusion de Hus were back in the ribbons, this time taking the win with a clear in 56.88. Foley made up time to the oxer before the double, then back to the water-tray, to the penultimate oxer and a good pace to the last.

The French-bred eight-year-old mare is by Baloubet Du Rouet and out of the Ugobak Des Baleines-sired dam, Duras De Hus. Her owners bought her as a five-year-old from France. Under the command of Foley last year, the pairing won the 1.35m North Star Classic at the Breeders’ Classic and before that finished second in the 1.10m/1.15m qualifier at the Dublin Horse Show and second in the Championship. In the Spring Tour, they took wins in Warrington, Barnadown and at the final in Coilog.