NO stranger to success in the HSI Studbook classes, Kildare native Derek McConnell put his first win on the board in this year’s Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Series seven-year-old class at Barnadown last Sunday.

Riding Inlaws Manolo, he beat off the challenge of three other combinations that booked their place in the jump-off.

This is the second good result for this combination in the series, having finished third in the opening leg at The Meadows. Owned by Sorcha Hennessy and bred by Tomas Hester, the gelding is by Corland out of Helena de la Vie (Lord Z).

Speaking after the win, McConnell said: “The track probably suited him as there was a lot of space between the fences and he likes to gallop, he likes to go fast. There was a couple of long runs and I really let him open up.

“It’s never an advantage to go first in the jump-off but I felt when I finished the round I was quick enough to do well, even though I knew what was there in competition after us. It’s really nice, though, that it’s his day.”

Aiming for Lanaken

The pair went to the World Breeding Championships in Lanaken in 2021 and are aiming for selection again this year. “He was very good last year in the Studbook Series and in the Development Series last year and was lucky enough to be selected for Lanaken,” McConnell added. “He was a bit green when he went there, however, and put the first fence down in the first qualifier – that was it, our chances were gone. I felt he was a little lacking in experience when he went there, even though he was deserving of his spot. This year I feel he is more of a proper horse.

“He was produced originally by Daisy Duggan, and she did an incredible job. She qualified him for Dublin. So he’s always been a good horse and the Hesters got to Lanaken to see their boy jump.”

First to go, McConnell meant business from the start as he kept up a good pace throughout the course. Although he opted for the outside line to fence two, the big striding Inlaws Manolo made up time across the ground. A very fast time of 45.51 was enough to take the class.

Next up, Mikey Pender was less than a second behind with HHS Cornetta despite taking the inside line to fence two, their clear round in 46.04 would see them take the runner-up spot. Owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd and bred by Marion Hughes, the mare is by Cornet Obolensky out of HHS Acorado (Acorad).

Young rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy was unlucky to have the last oxer down in the jump-off with the Clare Hughes-owned ESI Ali, but his time of 48.65 saw him slot into third place. Bred by Ennisnag Stud, the gelding is by Stakkato Gold out of Adelheid (Tygo).

Joanne Blair opted for the longer lines with the Richard Bourns-owned Tranquility Bay, but four faults at the second oxer in a time of 55.66 would mean a fourth place finish for her. Bred by John Mulvey, the gelding is by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof out of Tullibards Lux Sensational (Lux Z).

Four combinations were denied a place in the second round due to a single time fault. Fastest of those and taking fifth place (84.86) was young rider Leah Stack and SHS SoCo Blue. Owned by David Cullen and bred by Steffen Meerboth, the stallion is by by Zirocco Blue out of Belazza (Clearway).

Vincent Byrne also fell victim to the clock with CBI Bella Donna in the first round (85.05) to finish in sixth place. Owned by fellow Kilkenny rider Kayleigh Soden and bred by Aidan Carroll, the mare is by Zapatero VDL out of CSF Lulu (Luidam).

Five and six-year-old results

In the six-year-old division, seven double clear rounds share the prize fund. They were Ethen Ahearne (ABC Saving Grace), Francis Connors (Corlanda Junior), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (Curra Ferro), Orla Queally (Kilnamac Maud), Tomas Doyle (Monbeg Ruby), Charlotte Jacobs (Pablo C) and Brendan Murphy (Shirsheen Calensky).

The standard was also high in the five-year-old final with 13 combinations delivering clears over two rounds to share the prize fund on the day. They were Brendan Murphy (ABS Misty), Linda Moloney (BBH Alaska), David Moran (Connaberry luck), Jason Foley (Dawsons Bill), Harry Wood (ESI Indigo), Gemma Phelan (ESI Nixon), Carl Webb (HHS Ice Flo), Carl Webb (HHS Vilamoura), Linda Moloney (HZ Cuan), Tholm Keane (Krafty Krackers), Niamh McEvoy (Luigi), Paddy O’Donnell (MHS Las Vegas), and Michelle Kenny (Mika).