Brilliant win for Irish Sport Horse in Hickstead Derby while Hanley lands Dutch Grand Prix

THE Irish Sport Horse Glenavadra Brilliant added his name to the list of winners of the world famous Hickstead Derby this afternoon (Sunday), when he was the only horse to finish the course without knocking a fence with British rider William Whitaker.

The pair came home with just a single time fault, to deny a trio of riders on four faults a jump-off against the clock. A 13-year-old gelding by the stallion Brilliant Lad, Glenavadra Brilliant was bred in Co Galway by Frank Fahy.

Two Irish riders and another Irish-bred horse shared second place. Cork’s Billy Twomey was hoping to add to his Hamburg Derby win from earlier this year aboard Diaghilev but lowered a fence at the Devils Dyke in an otherwise perfect performance. Sligo’s Richard Howley was first to go in the competition and laid down a tough target to those who followed when he also finished with a single fence down with Chinook. Britain’s Harriet Nutthall and the Irish-bred gelding A Touch Imperious finished tied for second with the Irish duo, when knocking just the last fence on the course.

Dermott Lennon riding Vampire, Shane Breen with Acoustic Solo Du Balobet, and winner for the last two years, Trevor Breen (Loughnatousa WB), finished in joint fifth place on eight faults, while Elisabeth Power finished in a tie for 10th with Doonaveeragh O One (ISH).

Meanwhile at the Dutch two-star show in Kronemburg, Mayo’s Cameron Hanley took victory in the Parkhotel Horst Prix riding Falco Van Spieveld. Their double clear round in 37.58 seconds saw them collect the winners prize with fellow Irish rider Ross Mulholland finishing in eighth place aboard Callisto.

Breeding:
Glenavadra Brilliant (ISH) – 2003 gelding by Brilliant Lad (SVH) out of Frankie’s Lady (ISH), by Powerswood Purple (ID). Bred by Frank Fahy, Co. Galway. Owner: Mr Ian Whitaker & Mr Calvin McDonald. Rider: William Whitaker (GBR)
A Touch Imperious (ISH) – 2004 gelding by Touchdown (ISH) out of Cavimperius (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred by Leo Rice, Co. Monaghan.