McAuley runner-up in French Grand Prix

CO LOUTH’s Mark McAuley finished runner-up in the three-star Grand Prix at Courlans, France last Sunday. Riding S.N.C. McAuley’s nine-year-old stallion Django Ste Hermelle, he was one of five clears in the 11-horse jump-off, breaking the beams in 41.45 seconds to pick up just over €10,000 in prize money. Victory went to Frenchman Harold Boisset with T’Obetty du Domaine in a time of 39.69 seconds.

Waterford’s Anthony Condon landed a three-star victory at the venue on Sunday. Riding the Irish Sport Horse Merlins Victoire, he was the fastest of 14 double clears in the two-phase 1.40m class.

By Je t’Aime Flamenco, the nine-year-old was bred by Stephaine Forde in Galway out the Cavailer Royale mare The Messiah.

Sweetnam third in

two-star Grand Prix

CORK’s Jeremy Sweetnam finished third in the two-star Grand Prix at Valkenswaard, The Netherlands on Sunday. Riding Barra Sweetnam’s nine-year-old mare Brown Star Z, he was among 16 clears in the first round for a startlist of 55 combinations. Nine of those produced a clear against the clock and Sweetnam stopped the clock in 39.75 seconds to earn €3,900. Brazil’s Karina Johannpeter won aboard Lucero LS La Silla (0/0 39.04), ahead of the Irish Sport Horse Rockwell RC who finished second under Belgium’s Alexander Housen.

The eight-year-old by Kannan was bred by Ronan Byrne. Cork’s Billy Twomey finished fourth in Friday’s 1.45m two-phase with the French-bred nine-year-old DXB Legend. They were double clear in 27.31 seconds.