Riding the Irish Sport Horse mare Solerina, owned by Sweet Oak and Spy Coast Farms, Sweetnam opened week 10 of the festival in the best possible way by winning the $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class. The Cork native Sweetnam has had an outstanding winter circuit so far, with four wins in competitive FEI world ranking classes, among other top-10 finishes.

With 46 starters in the class, Germany’s Daniel Deusser set a fast pace of 66.54 seconds with Stephex Stables’ Mouse, but was passed by Sweetnam and Solerina, who cleared the track in 65.56. Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca and T&L NV’s Elky van het Indihof jumped into third in 67.48.