OFFALY’S Darragh Kenny ruled supreme in the $116,100 five-star WEF Challenge Round 9 at Wellington International in Florida last Thursday, when he rode the Oakland Stables newcomer, 11-year-old mare Zero K to take the win, with a double clear round over Alan Wade’s track in a jump-off time of 34.86.

Kenny left nothing to chance, finishing over a second ahead of runner-up Daniel Bluman (ISR) on Gemma W (36.07) to secure the winner’s cheque of $38,313. Spencer Smith (USA) placed third on Keeneland, while Derry man Jordan Coyle on For Gold placed 10th in the class with an unfortunate four faults in the jump-off.

Kenny has made great progress with his new mount Zero K, having had her just since December. “I’ve been getting to know the mare a lot better through [the] circuit, because I only got her one show before (WEF) started,” Kenny revealed afterwards.

“The first rounds have been pretty good, jump-offs haven’t been perfect. I knew it was going to be very fast today, and she has a big stride, so a lot of the lines were connected. I could use her big stride and hopefully not make mistakes.”

Special

“She’s very sensitive,” Kenny continued. “She’s special in her own way, but in the ring, she wants to do her best. Sometimes she tries too hard, but it’s always in the right way, and that’s what I really like about her.

“She’s a little tense sometimes, but for the most part, she’s just misunderstood. She wants to be the best she can be.”

Kenny admitted to taking risks in his bid for the top spot: “I was really nervous doing the six [strides, from fences] one to two, because I was a long way away. These classes are so competitive. There are so many brilliant riders. One day it’s me, next day it’s Kent (Farrington), next day it’s Richard Vogel, Henrik Von Eckermann, McLain Ward. That’s just how competitive this circuit is here.

“I’ve been a little late to the party this season,” Kenny said of his form. “I’ve taken my time and not rushed any of the horses and put their health before everything. It’s starting to show. Eddy Blue was super the other week in the Grand Prix, and this horse feels good now. I’m getting to know her well… I feel like the partnership is building, which is great.”

Placings

Week nine of the Winter Equestrian Festival kicked off last Wednesday, when the five-star $1,000 1.40m class saw Michael Duffy on RMF Clinton Son finish ninth of 52 combinations with a clear round in 66.56 seconds.

There were three Irish combinations in the top 10 of the five-star $32,000 1.45m class, when Jordan Coyle placed fourth with King Kannan GP; Nicky Galligan placed seventh with Serenade B and also 10th on VDL Nikita Van De Leeuwerk.

The $6,000 1.40m Open Jumper class saw Shane Sweetnam on Rural Juror SCF finish third from a start list of 46, with a double clear in 30.69.

On Thursday, Jonathan Corrigan on Tricolor MB placed fourth in the two-star $32,000 1.45m class, followed by Stephen Moore on Vico G in eighth.

Friday’s two-star $10,000 1.45m class saw Andrew Bourns place eighth with LCS Leisester when clear in 65.22, while the five-star 1.50m Classic saw Tom Wachman best of the Irish in fifth place with Obora’s Laura. The day’s $6,000 1.40m Open Jumper class saw Sweetnam take ninth with Rural Juror SCF.

Corrigan and Tricolor MB were back to stake a claim in Saturday’s two-star $62,500 Grand Prix when they finished sixth of the 44 starters.

The Irish accounted for three of the minor placings in Saturday’s five-star $500,000 Grand Prix, with Tipperary’s Tom Wachman on Tabasco De Toxandria Z placing a fabulous fourth when double clear in 45.63. Kenny on Zero K finished close behind with the fastest time of the class of 41.99, but four faults relegated them to fifth. Coyle on Chaccolino placed seventh in the class. The win went to Belgium’s Emilie Conter on Portobella Van De Fruitkorf (42.43).

Ireland was well-represented again in Sunday’s five-star $62,500 1.50m Classic, where Tom Wachman and Obora’s Laura placed third; Max Wachman on Kilkenny placed fifth; Cian O’Connor on Iron Man finished sixth and Coyle on For Gold were seventh. The class was won by Michael Murphy (USA) on Kaida CM.