A TRIO of superb eight-year-olds captured the top-three places in Sunday’s 1.40m Gain Alltech National Grand Prix at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

To witness the potential of these youngsters excelling at this level, less than halfway through their eight-year-old year, provides the hope that, in time, they will go on to succeed at the top level of the sport.

The fact that the top two horses are Irish-bred is yet another reason to view these results as a huge positive.

Daisy Duggan’s EMS Adelaide, ridden by Sean Monaghan, took the top spot when they stopped the clock almost five seconds faster than their closest rival in 41.63. Bred by Willie McElhinney, this mare is by Mermus R out of the Cruising mare Loch Cruise. The mare won the Irish Sport Horse Studbook series league last year.

The Miguel Bravo-owned gelding MHS New York and Emma McEntee are holding the form which saw them crowned Spring Tour champions, and were runners-up in 46.10. By Quidam Junior out of Cavalier Kells by Cavalier Royale, MHS New York was bred by Thomas Brennan.

Speaking after the win, Monaghan said: “I’m delighted with the mare. I got a great shot from fence one to two, I think I did one less stride and that got me into a great rhythm and flow for everything else.

“I don’t think she’s even as strong as she is going to be. I think there’s a lot more to come from her. Her mentality is so good. She is almost better at the gallop, she will never flatten, the more you push her the better she jumps. She is special, no doubt. What she achieved last year at seven year olds was exceptional.

“At the moment we are trying to figure out how we are going to proceed with her. I’m going away to do some young rider shows in Europe and I’d like to take her with me so we are looking into getting her paperwork sorted.

“I’m planning to hopefully do Wierden, Valkenswaard Global Champions show, Hagen, Paris and Monaco. I’m bringing Izzy by Picobello, one other and then she would be a great addition.”

Poetry in motion

Owner Daisy Duggan added: “It was a big surprise, as it was her first 1.40m Grand Prix. Sean only has her back for about three weeks now, she has very little experience but when you watch Sean and her together it’s like poetry in motion; they really are so good together.

“I bought her as a three-year-old in the Mullingar Elite Auction from Cavan-based farrier David Pickins and broke and produced her myself. Feaha Moore did some five-year-old qualifiers on her because I was busy doing the eventing qualifiers, and then Sean took over the ride last year, they had some really good results in the Irish Sport Horse seven-year-old classes and went on to win the series.

“Ultimately she is for sale, because I don’t buy horses to keep, but I would love to get a foal or two from her, maybe get some embryos because she has the best temperament; a 10-year-old child rides her at home. She is the quietest easiest mare, not very many of them that have the talent are so quiet and easy.

“I love the Cruising breeding and she goes back to Cruising on her dam’s side, and the Mermus R’s have been quite lucky for me, I’ve had a good few by him. He (Sean) trusts her so much and then vice versa, they are great to watch together.”

Big field

A large field of 83 starters lined out for the Stuart Clarke-designed track which offered a prize fund of €4,000.

Twenty three combinations produced a first round clear to progress to the timed jump-off. Of these just 13 kept a clean sheet.

Monaghan was fastest, with Emma McEntee in second. Ethen Ahearne slotted into third place with the eight-year-old German-bred Codex One gelding Clark, for American owner Julia Nagler, when breaking the beam in 46.36 seconds.

Fourth place went to the winners of the first round of the league, John Floody and Kathryn Magennis’ nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Accidental Diamond (Diamond Roller x High Roller) in 47.45.

Olive Clarke claimed fifth with Bernard Jordan’s gelding Clonguish Vivaro (Vivaldo Van Het Costersveild x Tanaos) in 47.85, ahead of John McEntee in sixth with another eight-year-old from the Bravo Hughes Stable the home-bred HHS Vancouver (Indoctro - La Juanita).

After five rounds, Deane Rogan currently leads the league on 19 points with De L’Oiseliere, while John Floody (Accidental Diamond) and Tim MacDonagh (Hollypark Galloway) are both on 16 points. The next and sixth round of the National Grand Prix league takes place at Portmore today (Saturday).