THE 2024 RDS Dublin Horse Show has come to a thrilling conclusion at the RDS in Ballsbridge, where Ireland's Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) claimed a runner-up finish in the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.

McAuley had looked set for victory went posting a brilliant clear in 38.74 seconds in the seven-horse jump-off. However, Rolex Testimonee Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei snatched the win for Switzerland when last to go, stopping the clock five hundredths of a second faster than McAuley.

Fuchs was slightly down on the clock for most of his jump-off round, however a daring dash to the last fence saw Fuchs gain time with the big-striding Conner Jei. Just seven hundredths of a second separated the top three finishers, with American rider Aaron Vale (USA) and Carrissimo 25 taking third spot on the podium.

Speaking afterwards, Mark McAuley was delighted with his runner-up finish and explained how producing GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) has been a real family affair. "Martin [Fuchs] was always going to be the danger when he was clear in the first round and being last to go in the jump-off, he was always going to be the one to worry about. I gave it everything, I don't feel I could have done much more,” he said afterwards.

Family affair

McAuley added: “The mare was fantastic, she gave it her all and I am just delighted to finish second in this Grand Prix. This is the second time she has been second [in a Rolex Grand Prix] so hopefully next time she will win one.

"My uncle Denis Hickey bred her in Co Wexford and my cousin Patrick Hickey produced her until she was eight before I took over the reins, so it’s a real family affair. They were all here watching so it's a great day for everyone involved."

Swiss star Fuchs, whose groom is Sean Vard from Co Dubin, meanwhile explained how he plans to celebrate his Rolex win. "Rolex shows are always my favourite shows so I will always bring my top horses - those are the Grand Prix's that you want to win and to win a Rolex Grand Prix here in Dublin is fantastic." Fuchs then added: "I have just decided that I am going to stay another night [here in Dublin] and go to Temple Bar."

Kildare's Mikey Pender also made it into the jump-off aboard HHS Los Angeles (ISH) and would take seventh place overall. Pender was crowned leading rider of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show after a string of top results during the week including a share of victory in the Defender Puissance.

Irish Horse board Director General Alison Corbally said: "It is fitting that a Rolex Testimonee and Swiss rider should win the very first Rolex Grand Prix at the Dublin Horse Show after what was a wonderful performance from Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei. Huge congratulations also to Mark McAuley and the Hickey family who bred GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) on their runner-up finish in such a prestigious competition on their home soil.

“This was another memorable Dublin Horse Show and we congratulate all those who competed during the week and the entire Dublin Horse Show team on such a brilliant event."

BREEDING

GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013, Mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB), by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford. Owner: S.N.C McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).

HHS Los Angeles (ISH) – 2014 mare by Le Roi (ZDP) out of China Cavalier (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Marion Hughes. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

Source: IHB press release