CO Cork’s Simon McCarthy won the three-star Grand Prix Qualifier last Friday during the ESP Pre-Charity week at Florida’s Wellington International, riding Narcotique v/h Dingenshof.

The stage was set for a competitive race to the finish with 16 horses moving forward to the tie-breaking jump-off designed by Hector Loyola (PUR). With blistering footspeed and efficient turns, McCarthy and Narcotique v/h Dingenshof, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Harley x Chacco-Blue), set an unbeatable standard of 36.57 seconds over the short track.

The closest challenger was Colombia’s Roberto Teran Tafur, who finished second by almost two full seconds in 38.25. He piloted Iron Maiden for owner Rocking Basilisk Farm.

“I’ve had the last fence down in jump-offs a few times lately, so I didn’t make a crazy solid plan this time,” commented McCarthy afterwards. “I wanted to be smooth, and I knew she was going to be quick. I trusted she was going to be careful, but I made myself stay patient and do eight strides to the last. I was proud of myself for that.”

Narcotique v/h Dingenshof, owned by Ilan Ferder, is relatively new to McCarthy, after joining his string in June to jump a summer tour in Europe. “I was lucky enough to keep the ride on her for now and she’s just been going from strength to strength. I really like her.

“I can normally do one more stride than most and it doesn’t make me much slower,” continued McCarthy (29) of his mare’s quickness. “Even though I take a lot of risk, if I need to be cautious somewhere, I can with her and still be fast enough. She’s a real fighter in the ring and she loves to do her job.”

Looking ahead, McCarthy will aim at focusing the mare, along with his second top mount Gotcha, at the Hermès 1.50m Series during the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) which kicks off at the venue in January.

Rounding out the podium placings, Abigail McArdle (USA) took third in 38.29 seconds riding Olympia van het Eikenhof, owned by Sweetwater Jumpers.

McGuane fourth

Co Clare’s Philip McGuane was best of the Irish when finishing fourth in Sunday’s $140,000 Flagler Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix. Riding for Jennifer Gates Nassar’s Evergate Stables, he posted the fastest time in the nine-horse jump-off in 41.98 seconds aboard Orphea HQ, but a fence down left him in fourth place.

He was just ahead of Meath’s Nicky Galligan in fifth place with VDL Nikita van de Leeuwerk (0/4 42.21). Victory went to USA’s Alex Granato and Helios vd Nosahoeve with the fastest of three double clears in 42.60 seconds.

In Saturday’s 1.45m speed class, the best of the Irish was Senan Hayes in seventh place with Kaytaro. The pair jumped a double clear in 67.71 seconds. USA’s Will Simpson took first and second places aboard Chacco P (0/0 60.34) and Keminko N (0/0 61.39). In fifth place was USA’s Charlotte Jacobs aboard the Irish Sport Horse gelding Thomascourt Ballypatrick (Balou du Rouet x Indoctro), who was bred by Seamus Casey.