EOIN Brennan emerged victorious in the rescheduled €4,000 Autumn Grand Prix last Saturday at Sceilig Equestrian, when he partnered Limestone Briarhill Lui to a double clear in 33.83 seconds.

Bred by Anne Coyne and owned by Tim Brennan, Limestone Briarhill Lui is an 11-year-old mare by Kings Cornet out of the Luidam-sired mare Briarhill Crusie. The combination have an impressive record, which includes winning the 1.35/1.40m Young Rider Championship at Dublin Horse Show this year.

Along with a host of good results abroad, the pair won a National Grand Prix in Hollypark in May. They were also double clear and placed in Mullingar CSI2* Grand Prix. The Brennans bought the mare two years ago from Gemma Phelan, who produced her so well for Jim Roberts.

Speaking after the win, Brennan said: “I’ve never been to Sceilig Equestrian Centre before, but I will definitely be back again, as it’s a very nice arena with a great surface and the atmosphere was good and very friendly.

“My mare Lulu was great again today. She never lets me down and she’s a great mare to learn how to go quick on, as she’s so easy and adjustable. The fences came up well for us today, so luckily we were quick enough to get the win.

“It was nice to see the winning groom (Cléle Jeanne) acknowledged with a prize (Bucas sponsored) here also. Lulu has won plenty for me this year and we will keep her in training for the rest of the year, so hopefully she can add more to our record.”

A total of 26 went to post and, from those, nine booked their place against the clock. Brennan’s closest rival was Mark Duffy and Figaro VII, when they came home with nothing to add in 36.06. Figaro VII, a 14-year-old gelding by Quality Time out of Waiomi (Optimist), is owned by Karen Geoghegan. This combination has consistent form at the level, having been placed in rounds of the Connaught Grand Prix and finished second in the Alltech Grand Prix at Duffy’s in April.

A clear from Paul Beecher and Glamstone in 36.95 saw them take third place. The Berlin-sired 13-year-old gelding is owned by Beecher’s wife, Seryna Van Kuelen. Triple-handed in the jump-off, Paddy O’Donnell delivered his best result with Kikedou, when they crossed the line clear in 37.17 for eventual fourth. The nine-year-old gelding by Ard VDL Douglas is owned and bred by Loes and Ger Klaassen. This partnership took the win in the Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Region 1.35m Grand Prix at Sceilig in May.

The Waterford rider also took eighth with the Alberta Capital Limited Conway-owned Kilcorig Elysium, when fastest of the four-faulters in 37.64 and 10th with the James Nash-owned Quality Command.

Clean sheet

Fifth place belonged to Seamus Hayes and the eight-year-old Curraghraigue Jack Bro, when they maintained a clean sheet in a time of 38 seconds. Owned and bred by Baden Powell, the gelding is by Orestus out of Curraghgraigue Errigal (Errigal Flight). This gelding was produced by Gemma Phelan up to September 2023 and, among its good results, was qualifying as a five, six and seven-year-old for the Dublin Horse Show.

Paul Beecher returned to the line-up to take sixth place, with the seven-year-old Brogagh Darcy, when they put in a foot-perfect round in 39.16 seconds. Also owned by Paul’s wife Seryna Van Kuelen, the mare is by Dakar VDL out of the Warrenstown WE3-sired Brocka Cruising Lucy. This combination has clocked up consistent results in the DAFM Studbook Series throughout the summer.

Tadhg Beecher was last of the double clears with the seven-year-old, Loughnatousa Buckley, clear in 42.21. Owned by Tim Beecher and bred by Michael Buckley, the gelding is by Chacoon Blue out of Cornascriebe Cardiamond.

1.20m

It was a good day for Paul Beecher, as he took the win in the earlier 1.20m class. Riding Danqu, he lodged the winning round in 30.59 seconds. Little separated the next placing, as Dominic Curley and Olympic Golden Girl crossed the line clear in 30.80.

Tadhg Beecher joined his brother Paul in the line-up, taking third with Loughnatousa KT, when they delivered a clear in 31.08. Not content with the win, Paul Beecher also took fourth place with the seven-year-old Loughnatousa Gilbert, when clear in 31.49.

Fifth place was filled by COH rider Robbie Sheehan and Fubalia, when clear in 31.88. Dominic Curley took another share of the prize fund, when he partnered Paul Carberry’s Brandonview First Edition to a clear in a time of 33.09.