AN Irish-bred horse claimed victory in the five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of St Tropez at the weekend, when Austria’s Max Kühner rode the Irish Sport Horse EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, bred by Mark Sherry in Co Wicklow, to the top spot on the podium.

Out of the 38 starters, only four managed to jump clear within the time allowed in the first round to proceed to the jump-off and just three of them jumped clear again to secure their places on the podium. Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue were the fastest of these in 36.39 seconds to claim the coveted first place and €111,276 in prize money, ahead of French runner-up Simon Delestre with Cayman Jolly Jumper (37.74) and third placed Eduardo Alvarez Aznar on Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (38.20).

EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (ISH) is a 13-year-old gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Celestial Up Too (ISH) by ARD VDL Douglas (KWPN).