JACK Goaley’s Boleybawn Cayman was ridden to victory by Shane Goggins in last Sunday’s 1.35m Grand Prix at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

By the Swedish stallion Cassidee out of Boleybawn Riverto (Ard VDL Douglas), the 12-year-old gelding was bred by Ronan Rothwell and has been ridden by Goggins since the spring of 2021.

The pair have consistently produced top five finishes at 1.35m level all summer including wins at Cavan in September, Tubberbride in July, as well as a runner-up placing in Mullingar in August.

Commenting on his win, Goggins said: “I’ve been riding him (Boleybawn Cayman) for a while now. He’s owned by Jack and Liam Goaley and he’s had good results in Cavan; we won the Grand Prix on the Saturday of the last show there. He’s a real trier. He’s very simple, once he goes into the ring he wants to do well for you and do his job.

“The course was big enough. I did eight down the first line and then eight down the second line, but I was very tight back to the third fence and also back to the double and I think that’s where we made up the time.

“There were quite a few in the jump-off, I think there were 22. Jake (Hunter) went early and I saw him go. I kind of knew that if I did somewhat the same as him, my fella, who is naturally fast and doesn’t spend too much time in the air, could be quicker and that seemed to work.”

Goggins added: “I’m based in Claremorris, Co Mayo. We had 10 horses in Cavan at the weekend, the four days there were a great chance to get some of the younger ones some experience. The rest of the horses were mainly made up of five and six-year-olds, I just brought him for the two Grand Prix classes.

“I have a few nice youngsters, which I hope will be ready for the age classes and qualifiers next year. There are just a couple of shows left for this year now and we plan to do the two big shows in Cavan. That horse (Boleybawn Cayman) is always there, or thereabouts, so hopefully he can do well again before the year is out.”

Large field

A total of 57 combinations lined out for the Gueorgui Gueorguiev and Stuart Clarke-designed track, which offered a prize fund of €2,000.

A large field of 26 posted a first-round clear. Three of these decided to withdraw, leaving 23 to battle it out against the clock. Nine of the 23 produced a clear second round, Goggins was fastest of these in a time of 30.90 to take the win.

Junior rider Stephen Gibbons, riding his mother Jane’s Belgian-bred gelding Cassius Z took the runner-up spot, crossing the finish line in 31.25.

Cavan’s resident junior rider Jamie Clarke and his grandmother Pauline’s gelding Coumroe Special, by Tjipke, bred by William McDonnell Snr were third in 31.68.

Winners of the 1.40m Cavan Grand Prix at the September show, Jake Hunter and Sandra Duffy/Ireland Horse Sport and Leisure Ltd’s Annaghmore Beach Cruise (Beach Ball x Cruising) slotted into fourth place.

Fifth went to another from the Duffy Stable, Hannah O’Shea aboard Sandra Duffy’s mare Ardnacashel Coovella (Luidam x Harlequin Du Carel). Junior rider Brid Ryan and her father Eugene’s Belgian-bred mare Ne Touche Pas Van de Rostal (Falco x Luz Z) completed the line-up in sixth.

After a few weeks break, the next round of the six-leg SJI Autumn Grand Prix Series takes place tomorrow (Sunday) in Portmore, with the fourth round taking place on Wednesday, October 25th in Hollypark.