WESTMEATH’s Francis Derwin Jnr put his first points on the Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix leaderboard last weekend when he claimed victory in the Cooley Farm-sponsored round at Cork Summer Show.

The young rider piloted his father Francis Derwin’s AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, to a clear in 34.35 and took home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer.

First to go in the jump-off, Derwin set off at a strong pace but it was the inside line from the double (oxer-verticle) to the penultimate oxer, matched with a daring gallop to the last oxer that saw him take the win.

Speaking afterwards, Derwin said: “I was delighted to take the win here today. This was AHG Whiterock Cruise Down’s second show in Ireland since coming back from Wellington. He is really in good form and I knew that he would be able to take the turn back from the double. It’s always hard going first, but thankfully it paid off. Cork Summer Show did a great job as did course designer Tony Hurley and his team.”

The 14-year-old Cruising Micky Finn grey gelding was bred by Ann Gannon Clancy out of the Touchdown mare Whiterock Touch. The last big win for this combination was on home soil at Barndown in May 2022. At the start of 2023, the combination competed in Wellington, and recorded a win in an Under 25 1.45m and third in a two-star 1.45m.

Small field

After a busy week of show jumping which also saw RDS qualifiers at Millingar, just 17 combinations contested this round. From these, three combinations booked their place in the second round and all three delivered clears against the clock.

Francis Connors slotted into the runner-up position with the eight-year-old, Rose Maire I when delivering a clear in 43.19 seconds. The mare was bred by her owner Claire McDonnell and, by Diamant De Semilly, is out of the Cruising-sired five-star Grand Prix-winning mare Mo Chroi. In 2022, the mare was campaigned by James Dunne at Oliva and claimed two wins in the CSIYH1* at 1.35m level, before Connors took over the ride in 2023.

Paddy O’Donnell also opted for the safer lines with the eight-year-old WEC Mermus Rua taking the longer route from the double to the penultimate oxer. He ultimately delivered a clear in 47.79 for third place. Owned by Pat Peare and bred by Ray Brown, the gelding is by Mermus R out of Abalou Verte.

Last year, this combination clocked up a series of good results which included qualifying for the Dublin Horse Show in the seven/eight-year-olds. They then represented Ireland at the World Breeding Championships at Lanaken and finished seventh in the seven-year-old consolation class.

Orla Queally finished fourth in the class after picking up a time fault in the first round aboard Gentleman Time. Owned by John Queally, the 12-year-old gelding is by Quality Time out of Desteny van de Molendreef.

Also finishing on a single time fault in the first round and slotting into fifth place was Tipperary rider Jack Ryan and his own Yes Man (Don Diarado x Cordalme).

Francis Connors completed the top six line-up with Carrigshawn Vendi Royal, when they were fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 88.57. This combination finished fifth in the Connolly’s Red Mills 1.35m Munster Grand Prix the day before when they delivered a double clear. Owned by Francis, Jenny and Kate Connors, the eight-year-old mare by Dondoctro Ryal K was bred by John Warner out of Carrigshawn Vendi (Ars Vivendi).