THE 1.35m North Speed Classic saw a field of 62 competitors on Thursday at the Irish Breeders’ Classic in Barnadown, with 17 riders lodging a clear round. Taking the win was Comdt Geoff Curran and Derrycush when he was fastest in a time of 62.38 seconds. Owned by the Minister for Defence, the 10-year-old Emerald Van’t Ruytershof gelding was bred by Alfie Hillen out of the Aldato-sired ISHD Caldato.

It was a good opening for the Army Equitation school as Lt Michaeli Byrne and HHS Clinstown took the runner-up spot when she came home in a time of 64.11. Young rider Matthew Farrell and LKD Mini Q took third place with a clear in 71.84.

Fellow young rider John McEntee and Hobalo accounted for eventual fourth, when they came home in 73.31. A clear from Daren Hopkins (73.52) saw them take fifth place, ahead of Niamh O’Connor Barry and Drumiller Vegas (74.47).

Friday

On Friday, victory in the North Star Speed Classic class went to young rider Niamh McEvoy and BP Limitless, when she was the fastest of eight double clears in the two-phase class in a time of 33.62. McEvoy was chased home by Mark Cleary and Primo Aliboo Blue ABF who added nothing in 35.64. Robyn Moran and Fortside Clever Candy were fractions behind in a time of 35.79.

A clear from Camryn Clarke and Conto De Reve in 35.76 saw him take fourth place. Fellow junior rider Emily Moloney also kept the poles in place with Temple Alice, in a time of 36.91 for fifth place. Completing the top six was young rider, Ella Clancy and Shooting Star, clear in 37.26.

George Mullins Speed Classic

On Thursday, Alan O’Regan led the victory lap in the George Mullins-sponsored Speed 1.30m Classic. Riding Celsius, he partnered the seven-year-old to a clear in 57.83. Lucy Gibson and Merlins Maytrix filled the runner-up spot, when clear in 57.96, while in third was junior rider Laura Hales and Killycloghan Knight Time who kept all the poles in place in a time of 58.61.

John McEntee and the seven-year-old LCC Monte Karlo filled fourth place when clear in 59.53, while in fifth place was junior rider Natasha Foley, clear in 59.57. Taking sixth place on this occasion was junior rider Launa McCann and Carrickadawson Womanizer, clear in 61.24.

Friday

Shane O’Reilly emerged victorious in the George Mullins-sponsored Speed 1.30m Classic on Friday when he partnered the seven-year-old BWE Vain Hero to a clear in a time of 33.81. Junior rider Jamie Clarke and the seven-year-old Sydney PMD were less than a second behind in a time of 34.73 for second place.

A clear from Lucy Gibson and the eight-year-old Merlins Maytrix in 35.71 saw them take third place. Young rider Masie Adams also kept all the poles in place with the eight-year-old Quina DW in a time of 36.41 for eventual fourth. Fifth place belonged to Alan O’Regan and the seven-year-old Celsius, clear in 40.74, while in sixth place was Second Lt Ruari Clarke and Carrigsor, clear in 41.03.