DOING the Irish proud in California last week was Conor Swail, who secured his second major four-star prize of the week in the $32,000 Alora Sport Horses 1.50m Classic on Sunday last to bring the Desert International Horse Park season to a triumphant conclusion.

And Irish breeders also figured prominently, with winning machine Killossery Konfusion (ISH) denying Swail yet another major victory by taking first prize in the $200,000 four-star Grand Prix on Saturday.

Theo 160 has come close to victory numerous times throughout the 2025 Desert Circuit, but on March 16th, glory finally came his way as the gelding closed out the Desert International Horse Park season with a win in the Classic.

Owned by Mannon Farm, Theo 160 (Christian 25 x Calando IV) produced one of five clear rounds. While Swail said later he was was not particularly proud of his jump-off efforts, the pair’s time of 39.2 seconds was more than enough to move them into the lead. USA’s Paris Sellon and The Duchess finished in second place as the only other double clear effort and, rounding out the top three with four faults in a time of 39.55 seconds, were Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Bull Runs Hesed.

“Theo has been incredible the whole tour,” said Swail of the 13-year-old. “He’s been second, third, second, third, third, fourth. I mean, he’s been clear and clear and clear and clear. So, I’m just so happy that he won today, because he really deserved it. He’s been probably the most consistent throughout the duration.

“The jump-off, honestly, I wasn’t that happy with. I thought it was very ragged. Again, Theo was being super… He was very good to me to jump the last two jumps well, and thankfully we won. It just wasn’t my favourite one. I wanted him to win today, and I didn’t feel I did a great job to help him do that.”

Count on him

Swail’s other ride, Count Me In, indicated that there was no dulling of his ability to shift through the gears in another test of pace in the $20,000 Brainjuice CSI4* Speed Stake last Friday.

It was a second victory in under a week for the 18-year-old gelding that Swail describes as his “serial winner” and his third major victory of the 2025 Desert Circuit, with what proved an unbeatable time of 64.28 seconds.

“He is one of the best horses I’ve had in my career, and I’ve had some very nice ones,” said Swail of the Sandy Lupton/Mannon Farm-owned Hanoverian that he also rode to wins in the Desert Circuit 3 $45,000 CSI2* PRO Series Equine Grand Prix and the Desert Circuit 9 $40,000 FarmVet 1.45m Open Classic. “A lot of places he’s taken me are all firsts for me – World Cup Finals, winning the Aga Khan, Aachen for the first time. He’s a wonderful horse.

“Obviously, now he’s 18, I’m doing a few smaller classes. He’s a very confidence-orientated horse. I suppose all horses are, but particularly him.

“He gets a bit edgy and nervous, then he doesn’t just jump as well. So, what I try and do is make him comfortable…It’s nice that I can pull him out and jump around there. I thought he was great today.”

Lady luck

The Darragh Cross athlete and his other ride, My Lady Lavista, continued their excellent form with a podium finish in the $200,000 four-star Grand Prix on Saturday. This class was claimed by winning machine Killossery Konfusion (ISH), bred in Dublin by Frank and Laura Glynn and ridden by Jos Verlooy (BEL). Killossery Konfusion, who is by SIEC Livello out of Killossery Kruisette (Cruising), could not be beaten with a clear in 37.94 seconds, while Keri Potter (USA) and Kalimera Van De Nethe Z finished second in 38.17 and Swail filled third place on the podium in 38.87.