FOR the second year in-a-row, the five/six year-old Irish Breeders’ Classic final went the way of Ballyshan BF Super Hero, this year ridden by Jason Foley who was winning the class for the first time. The class is one of the highlights of the calendar for young horses and, with €45,000 on offer, 28 combinations qualified to jump in Sunday’s final at Barnadown in Co Wexford.

Ballyshan BF Super Hero won the competition 12 months ago as a five-year-old and becomes the first horse to win twice. Ridden then by Ger O’Neill, he was since sold to Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly and stayed with Castlefield Sport Horses to compete this year. Bred by Gary Doherty, the gelding is by Celtic Hero B Z out of the Lux Z mare Ballyshan Luximportant.