FOR the fifth time in-a-row, an Irish-bred horse has taken victory in the five-star Defender Burghley Horse Trials in England. Bred by Noel Hickey in Co Limerick and ridden by Britain’s Oliver Townend, Ballaghmor Class started the final show jumping phase in second position.

Townend was winning his seventh five-star competition, and the richest prize in the sport of eventing, taking home £110,000.