IT’s well-known in equestrian circles that Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier likes to be in attendance when his grandchildren are competing and we are sure he was glad to be in Valencia, Spain, last Sunday when 19-year-old Tom Wachman won his first three-star Grand Prix.

Tom, son of David and Kate Wachman, was riding the nine-year-old Tabasco De Toxandria who just recently returned to Coolmore Showjumping ownership after a spell with German rider Kendra Claricia Brinkop. The combination, who were really impressive on the international circuit this year - jumped double clear in the Nations Cup of Aachen and in Rome, where they won. They were also on the winning German team in La Baule.

It was also interesting to note that Tom’s older brother Max - who at the age of 20 has already been on a winning Aga Khan team (in 2022) - has taken back the ride on Fancy de Kergane, the fabulous nine-year-old stallion owned by his grandmother Susan and Coolmore Showjumping. Fancy has been produced this year with much success by his trainer, Cian O’Connor, and among their many successes was a clear round to help Ireland win the Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen in July. “I’ve really enjoyed developing this super horse over the last year and really look forward to helping Fancy and Max Wachman become a world-class partnership,” O’Connor said on social media.