FOR the second week running, Max Foley clinched victory in the TRM Showjumpers Spring Tour. This time, it was in Warrington last Friday riding Marion Hughes’ HHS Fortune.
The pair left nothing to chance, galloping home with a clear round in 35.93 seconds. It was profitable out for the HHS Stud, as they claimed three of the top six placings in the line-up.
Speaking afterwards, Foley said: “I am delighted to have the win here today, in what is a local venue for us. The Moloney family always runs a great show. This was the first time for me to compete with the horse and she answered all the questions asked of her. I didn’t really look at anyone else, as I had my own plan and it thankfully worked out.
“I would like to thank Marion and Miguel (Bravo) for their support and hopefully I can clock up a few more wins.
"I am heading to the Young Rider Academy in Peelbergen next and I hope I will get selected.”
Bred by Hughes, HHS Fortune is a 14-year-old-mare by Catoki out of the Ard VDL Douglas dam HHS Daisy.
A popular event on the calendar, there was a great turnout for each class at the Kilkenny venue, with 51 combinations lining out for the Spring Tour, 93 for the 1.10m and 102 for the 1.20m. In the feature Grand Prix, 15 booked their place against the clock and 10 double clears were delivered. It was a competitive jump-off, with the top six coming home within 39 seconds.
Taking the runner-up spot was local man Vincent Byrne and Galwaybay Sparkie, when he was less than a second behind in a time of 36.31. Owned by Langara Ventures and bred by Justin Burke, Galwaybay Sparkie is a nine-year-old gelding by Spartacus out of Galwaybay Penelope (Clinton). This combination has clocked up a series of good results at the level, including a win in the 1.40m speed at the Cavan November Winter Horse Festival.
Slotting into third place was Comdt Geoff Curran and the Minister For Defence’s Hawthorn Hill, when they stopped the clock in a time of 36.75. Bred by Jerry Quinn, the 13-year-old mare is by Cardento and out of the Limmerick-sired Tummery Limelight. This pair has had their share of success, with a series of placings in the 1.50m Plusvital Premier Series last year.
Mikey Pender was looking to add to the Hughes stable haul and he partnered Marion Hughes’ seven-year-old HHS Flonix to a clear in 36.87 for eventual fourth. Bred by Brendan McSorley, this stallion is by Aganix Du Seigneur out of Echo Peach (Clover Echo), a full-sister to the five-star winning mare Echo Beach.
Max Foley returned to the line-up to claim fifth place with HHS Savanna; they put in a foot-perfect round in a time of 38.09. Owned by Bravo Hughes and bred by Marion Hughes, the nine-year-mare is by Dignified Van’T Zorgvliet out of HHS Central Park (Don Juan De La Bouverie). The mare was previously campaigned by Pender and ended last year with a win in CSI3* in Vejer de la Frontera.
Kilkenny rider Robin Carey put in a gallant attempt aboard his own 10-year-old mare Luicruz (Luidam x Puissance) and came home clear in 38.36 for sixth place; adding more points to the leaderboard after claiming third in the opening round at JAG.
Winner of the round in Cavan, resident rider Emily Moloney slotted into seventh with Temple Alice (0/0 38.95).
Hadley on winning form
Winner of the 1.20m was Sven Hadley and his own seven-year-old Maximum Numero Too HSH, when they were fastest of the 48 clears in a time of 60.07. Hadley also claimed third place with his own HSH Harper Du Seigneur, when he stopped the clock in a time of 61.27. Slotting into second was Olympic event rider Cathal Daniels aboard the Katherine Charlton-owned eight-year-old Class Cut Diamond, clear in 61.20 seconds.
Junior rider Kate Walsh took the win in the 1.10m class, when she partnered Ann Lambert’s Redshire Molly to a clear in 21.92. Amateur rider Laura Walsh (AA) and Ballinaguilkey Heritage took second when clear in 23.04, ahead of young rider Billy Sinnott and Glyntown Blake, clear in 23.05.