IRELAND’S Ronan McGuigan continued his strong run of top drawer results when winning the feature $25,000 Nutrena Holiday III Grand Prix on Capall Zidane at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida, last Sunday.

Wellington course designer Hector Loyola’s course saw 34 combinations whittled down to six clear rounds for the Grand Prix jump-off.

Only three were able to clear the short course, where McGuigan and Capall Zidane were first to go, setting a blazing pace at 39.88 seconds that would hold on for the win.

Kira Kerkorian guided Lisa Kerkorian’s Cassiopeia to second place honours in 40.87 and Juan Ortiz jumped Stransky’s Mission Farms Inc.’s Phenix Royal to third place in 42.75.

Two entries surpassed McGuigan’s time but incurred faults along the way. Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Eternal had four faults in 39.27 to place fourth. Co Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Spruce Meadows’ Quiz had eight faults in 39.36 and had to settle for fifth.

Capall Zidane, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (by Concorde x Baloubet du Rouet), has had an incredible season with many Grand Prix wins. McGuigan noted: “I knew Darragh Kenny was coming behind me with that Quiz horse, who is very fast and has beaten me previous times, so I knew my horse can go just as fast as his. I just tried to put as fast a clear round up as I could without taking too many chances and hopefully push Darragh a little harder so that he might make a mistake. It’s not often that he makes one but he was my main worry.”

McGuigan also had the added bonus of having his parents there to see his win. “My mom and dad came in as a surprise. I didn’t know they were coming, so they were there today to be able to watch that. I think that is the first time they have ever seen me win a class so that was nice for them.”

KENNY THIRD

The $10,000 Equiline Open Stake was held last Friday with victory for Nina Fagerstrom and Finca Horse’s Flower. Fagerstrom completed the only double clear round for the the win from over 30 entries.

David Blake and Pine Hollow Farm’s Cassinjo had three time faults and finished second. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Spruce Meadows’ Quiz had the fastest time but incurred four faults to finish third.