LAST weekend saw Irish horses performing well all over the world, in places as far away as the Middle East.

The three-star Grand Prix at Abu Dhabi in the UAE was won by the Irish Sport Horse BBS McGregor, ridden by Abdullah Mohd Al Marri (UAE). The pair were the clear winners, jumping the only clear round of the competition.

BBS McGregor is a 13-year-old gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of Random Chance (ISH) by Mark Twain (TB) and was bred in Kilkenny by Marguerite Ryan and formerly ridden by Jack Ryan.

Another Irish Sport Horse, Maxwin Kinmar Agalux, also made it through to the jump-off and finished fourth, ridden by Thailand’s Janakabhorn Karunayadhaj. Maxwin Kinmar Agalux is a 13-year-old mare by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) out of Kinmar Lux Good (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN) and was bred by Gerrard Marron in Co Monaghan.

Meanwhile, the two-star Grand Prix at Doha in Qatar saw the Irish Sport Horse Uppercourt Cappucino finish in the runner-up position, with Australian rider Edwina Tops Alexander in the saddle, after jumping double clear in a jump-off time of 37.30 seconds. They were only beaten by Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano on Quirinus 27, who finished in a very fast 35.10.

Uppercourt Cappucino was formerly ridden by Sligo’s Richard Howley and together they won the WBFSH final for five-year-old horses at Lanaken in 2018. The horse was bred by Paul O’Byrne and is by Pacino (BWP) out of Uppercourt Posh (ISH) by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD).