FAR West De Hus made his Grand Prix debut a winning one when topping the line-up in the SJI 1.40m Autumn Grand Prix at Killossery Lodge Stud, Rolestown last Monday.

Ridden by Emma McEntee, the seven-year-old gelding is owned by Ger O’Neill’s Castlefield Breeding Farm and is by Windows VH Costersveld, out of Blankonette III, by Lefvre.

Speaking after the victory, a delighted McEntee said: “I’ve been riding him since I started working for Ger in the middle of August. Jason (Foley) had been riding him before and they had done well in Dublin and qualified for Lanaken where he finished in the top 20 in the seven-year-old final. This was his first show since then. We gave him a break and then wanted to introduce him to Grand Prix level to set him up for next year.

“He is quite a small horse and is a real pet. He loves going to the shows and is straightforward to ride which makes it so much easier. He is naturally quick over the ground and doesn’t waste any time. He is scopey and powerful so jump-offs suit him.

“He has stepped up very quickly, faster than I thought he would really. It was quite a big ask for him. He is very mature in ways. He had a good grounding and was produced well and that shows. He was fast from the first to the second fence which set us up well, we had a good turn back to the third fence.

“The third last fence was the double and there was quite a lot of galloping room between there and the second last and I just kept moving. He is very careful so I knew I could do that down to the last fence. He answered all the questions asked of him so we are delighted. It was a great course to introduce him; Killossery is always a lovely place to go, especially with the young horses.

“We will head to Wexford on Saturday and then to Cavan after that. We will see how the horses are after that and then decide what to do.

“I would like to get plenty of mileage here with the couple of nice seven-year-olds we have before we consider taking them on a trip away. We will just wait and see what Spring brings,” added McEntee.

Competitive action

Some 26 starters lined out for the Larkin Bros and Coopers International Horse Transport-sponsored class which was the seventh of the 10-round series.

Just eight managed to produce a first round clear to progress to the timed decider. Six combinations had one fence down for four faults, while the remaining dozen added in excess of four faults to their first round tally.

McEntee and Far West de Hus posted the fastest jump-off time of 34.67 for the lion’s share of the €3,000 prize fund.

Lt James Whyte and the Minister For Defence’s Hawthorn Hill (Cardento x Limmerick) were the runners-up, stopping the clock at 36.34.

Third place also went the way of the Army Equitation School with 2nd Lt Michaeli Byrne riding another by Cardento, MHS Gabhran (Cardento x Diamant De Semilly), across the finish line double clear in 37.98.

Eight-year-old Beechfields Billy Barnwell, ridden and owned by Gemma Phelan, took fourth place in 40.56, while recent winners in Tipperary Edward Doyle Jnr and Quick Bill (Flex A Bill x Quick Star) were fifth.

Celah Sue De Rialfo Z (Coupe De Coeur x Caletto III), ridden by Madeline Roberts Allen, were sixth as the fastest four-faulter. The next round of the SJI Autumn League takes place at Wexford tomorrow.

Kirby lands victory

The All-Ireland Final for sports members was the other feature class of the three-day show at Killossery. Nineteen qualified riders went forward for the 90cms two-phase class which offered a €2,000 prize pot.

Aoife Kirby and Stephanie Cunnningham’s Silverglen Wishing Well proved best of these as the fastest four-faulter in the second round in 31.67 to secure the win.

Runner-up here was Ciara Lawless and the seven-year-old Whitethorn Thor with four on the board in 42.13. Third place went to Caitilin O’Kane riding Freyas Girl in 32.85.

Carmel Conroy and her own Killarn PG were fourth in 44.68, while Sorcha Kirby and Derg Treasure took fifth. Ellie Ward and Liberty DMC completed the line-up in sixth place.

Supreme Intent and young rider Lee Grifferty captured the win in the 1.20m final on bank holiday Monday at the Rolestown venue.

Catriona Gaffney’s nine-year-old gelding by Orestus out of Supreme Focus, by Coille Mor Hill, broke the finish beams in a time of 33.79 for the top spot.

ABC Ballycruise (Cruising x Diamond Lad) was guided into the runner-up place by Gemma Phelan, double clear in 33.85.

Nicole Kershaw and Lisa Rosbotham’s Novellent (Valent x Zeoliet) slotted into third in 34.16.

Junior rider Tom Wachman and Coolmore Showjumping’s Thijssen SR Z (Tyson x Capitol I) were fourth. Wachman also took fifth aboard his other mount, Lady Bamford’s French-bred HH Fireball (Number One D’ISO x Toulone une Prince).

Tara Elizabeth Patton and her own mare Castleroche Pretty Woman (Lux Z x Cruising) were sixth.