International glory for Howley

SLIGO’S Richard Howley and the nine-year-old gelding Zodiak Du Buisson Z (VDL Zirocco Blue x Dutch Capitol Z) delivered Ireland a victory on the opening day of the five-star Longines League of Nations fixture in Abu Dhabi, UAE. They came out on top in the 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier after a hugely competitive 19-horse jump-off on Thursday evening. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch finished ninth with the 11-year-old stallion Vistogrand. The 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding HHS Washington (ISH) bred by Miguel Bravo of Co Kilkenny and formerly ridden by Mikey Pender, also took victory in Thursday’s 1.45m class at the Abu Dhabi fixture. Ridden by Duarte Seabra (POR), HHS Washington (Tinaranas Inspector x Cavalier Royale) beat off a field of 68 horses and riders to scoop the prize.