WELL-known for his glittering career on the international circuit, Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan put his mark on the Gain Alltech National Grand Prix League as he rode to victory in National Balmoral last Friday.

With a lucrative prize fund of £10,000, sponsored by Roxborough Ground Improvement and SHS Groups, up for grabs, it came as no surprise that there was a large following of 76 combinations for this round.

Riding the eight-year-old DSH Lucky Junior, Ryan lodged the winning double clear in 36.86. Bred by his owner, and Jack’s uncle, Seamus Drea, the gelding is by Ryan’s former five-star Nations Cup horse BBS McGregor and is out of the Luidam mare, Dshlyi.

BBS McGregor, bred by Jack’s mother Marguerite Ryan, was sold to the United Arab Emirates in 2023, following a glittering career with Jack and has been selected for next week’s Olympic Games under UAE’s Abdulla Al Marri. DSH Lucky has spent time being produced by Britain’s Georgia Tame and more recently Tholm Keane, with Ryan taking over in recent months, while he spends time at home in Kilkenny.

Olympics-bound

Ryan commented: “I am delighted, the horse jumped fantastic today. It was a great course, a great atmosphere and the ground conditions, considering the rain this morning, have been very, very good. It’s a credit to the Balmoral showgrounds.”

“Lucky Junior is by my old superstar BBS McGregor, who is going to the Olympics next week. I am thrilled with him, hopefully some day he can also jump at the Olympics!”

Ryan’s closest rival was Britain’s Sam El Dahan and WKD Balou Breeze, when they kept all the poles in place in a time of 39.35. Bred by Joe Sloan and owned by Joanne Sloan Allen, the 10-year-old mare is by Balou Du Rouet out of the Cavalier Royale mare, Cavalier Whirlwind.

Dermott Lennon was only fractions behind with the Bronte Stables-owned Millview Cicero, when they crossed the line clear in 39.53.

Molly Hughes Bravo slotted into fourth place with HHS Tokyo, when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 40.44. Bred by Marion Hughes, this eight-year-old gelding is by Z Seven Ascot out of the Catoki-sired HHS Fortune, who is currently jumping at the top of the sport.

Lennon was back in the line-up, taking fifth place with L’Esprit Hero Z when he put in another double clear in a time of 41.33. Owned by Eamon Bishop, the 15-year-old gelding was bred by Gerry Marron and Luc Henry by Lexicon out of Ikea Van’t Roosakker (For Pleasure).

Completing the top six was Vincent Byrne and Quantino (Quarz x Coriano), clear in 42.31. Owned by Flaminia Straumann, the 13-year-old stallion won the round in CoilÓg in June.