IRISH riders may have been absent from the Morocco Royal Tour this year but one Irish owner was Carol Gee of Fernhill Sport Horses who attended the four-star show in Rabat where her two horses - Fernhill Holly Chai (Chai D xQuinta da Hermida) and Dourados 2 (Diarado x Cornet Obolensky) – were ridden by Portugal’s Duarte Seabra.

Carol also had horses which she sold competing in the five-star Maryland Horse Trials in the USA the same week and was watching on video as she was on hand to assist Seabra, her long time show jumping rider.

“This is a wonderful four-star show,” she said. “The facilities are high end, the hospitality and organisation is superb, so much so that I am bringing a full lorry of horses for next year and am doing the three shows: Tetouan, Rabat and El Jadida.

“The tracks here are excellent and so is the footing. I have seen only top-class horses and excellent riders. This is one circuit which is a must to compete on. The stabling is fantastic, the show does all the paperwork and everyone is well looked after.”

Carol, who sold the Tokyo Olympic Games horse Kilkenny to Cian O’Connor, was equally delighted when news came through from Vejer that he had won the Grand Prix. “I bought Dourados 2 from Cian. He is a grey nine year old gelding by Diarado and has so much scope we are delighted with his performance here.”

Seabre, who produced Kilkenny, added: “Dourados has performed very well in Rabat and our plan is to return to Vejer de la Frontera, then head to Vilamoura and eventually Madrid and La Coruna. Carol is a fantastic owner and follows her horses wherever they compete. Dourados is my Nations Cup horse and loves the courses here in Rabat.”