FOLLOWING a great show in Millstreet a couple of weeks ago, Galway’s Sven Hadley was back in the winnings this weekend as he took the penultimate leg of the Gain Alltech National Grand Prix in Castle Irvine last Sunday.

Riding Phenomene Bleu VDM, he was the fastest of four double clears in a time of 37.19 seconds. This venue has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Galway rider who previously won the Grand Prix here in 2023.

Speaking afterwards, Hadley said: “I was delighted with the win today and with how my seven-year-old, Make It Easy, also jumped. Both these horses are very talented and Make It Easy has only moved up to this level and is proving very consistent.

“It has been a busy few weeks and thankfully we have been in the winnings. The stallion, Phenomene Bleu VDM, will be competing in Sires of the World in Lanaken and we are really looking forward to this.

“I would like to commend the course designer Alan Lynch, who did a super job and really got it right on the day,” Hadley added.

Owned by Hadley Sporthorses, the nine-year-old stallion was bred by Famile Bruggeman and is by Diamant De Semilly, out of the Nabab De Reve mare Nuance Bleue VDM Z.

Just 15 combinations contested this round of the series and, of those, five booked their place against the clock.

Almost four seconds behind was Shane O’Reilly and Lancer Luck, who stopped the clock in a time of 42.79 for second place. Owned by Brian McConville and bred by Thomas Whelan, the 10-year-old gelding is by Castleforbes Lord Lancer out of the Coevers Diamond Boy-sired dam Dalystown Lass. This is the second good result for this pair who also finished second in the round at Barnadown in May.

A clear from Junior rider Jenny Dunlop and the eight-year-old Questro Z in 42.99 saw them take third place. This Zangersheide gelding, who is owned by Andrew Dunlop, is by Quick Star out of a Heartbreaker mare.

Eve Donnelly and Francis Donnelly’s Crystal Tom were last of the double clears in a time of 47.68 for eventual fourth. This 10-year-old gelding is by Silvano out of the Graf Magna-sired Lady Graf.

Sven Hadley took another share of the prize fund, when he finished on eight faults in the jump-off aboard his own seven-year-old, Make It Easy HSH. Bred by M V Sponsen, the gelding is by Don’t Touch It M out of C- Larissa (Landos).

A single time fault kept Catherine Thornton out of the jump-off with Derryinver Truffle, but this was enough to take sixth place. Owned by David Campbell and bred by Tom and Linda Magee, the 12-year-old gelding is by Tornesch out of the Cruising mare Icing.

The final of the National Grand Prix league takes place today (Saturday) at the Irish Breeders’ Classic in Barnadown. Heading in the final, Francis Derwin Jnr was well out in the lead on 58 points with Parvati Aeg, ahead Vincent Byrne and Quantino on 29 points and Katie McEntee and Kinmar Bespoke on 25 points.

1.30m Speed

Sven Hadley made sure the trip north was profitable when also winning the 1.30m speed class. Riding Hadley Sporthorses’ home-bred stallion HSH Harper Du Seigneur (Aganix du Seigneur x Chippison), he galloped home clear in 59.64. For the second time, Shane O’Reilly was his closest rival, clear in 63.09 aboard Brian McConville’s eight-year-old BWE Valdi Semilly for second place.

Hadley and Make It Easy slotted into third place when they kept all the poles in place in a time of 64.18. Jenny Dunlop and Questro Z finished in fourth place after they clocked up one fault in a time of 70.83, ahead of junior rider Jamie Hargaden and Geron RS, finishing on two faults in 72.60. Junior rider Beth Thompson also finished on two faults with Cold Pay S Z, albeit in a slower time of 74.69 for sixth place.

Hargaden double

Leading the victory lap in the 1.20m was Jamie Hargaden and Geron RS, when fastest of the clears in 26.27 seconds. Sean Foley and the eight-year-old Ensor Z delivered a clear in 27.94 for second place. Dominic Curley accounted for third place when he partnered DPS Khaleesi to clear in 28.11.

Not content with the win in the 1.20m, Jamie Hargaden also claimed victory in the 1.10m. Riding Maggiemae C, he left his rivals behind as he delivered a clear in 33.81 seconds. Kevin Mackey and the six-year-old Annyalla Fero took the runner-up spot when clear in 37.17. Amateur rider Roisin Donnelly (AA) accounted for the next three slots. She delivered her best result with Ballinamurra Eargon when coming home fractions behind, clear in 37.79 for third place.