Irish dominate Derby in Falsterbo as Bertram Allen and Christy Jnr come out on top

For the second time in 48 hours, Irish riders have filled all three podium places at Falsterbo’s five-star Nations Cup show in Sweden, this time in the Falsterbo Derby which was won by Bertram Allen.

(l-r) Cian O’Connor, Bertram Allen and Shane Sweetnam filled the top three places in the Falsterbo Derby presented by Gigantprint (Photo: ©Rockmountain Studios / Rolf Stenberg)

Just four of the 14 starters managed to jump clear in the opening round with three of those wearing green jackets. Wexford’s Bertram Allen produced the fastest clear in the jump-off (49.31) with the eight-year-old gelding Christy Jnr, to take home the winners prize of €28,000. He was followed by Cork’s Shane Sweetnam in second place with Indra van de Oude Heihoef, who also jumped clear in 50.02. London Olympic bronze medalist Cian O’Connor took third place for Ireland with another clear aboard Copain du Perchet CH (51.20). The only non Irish rider to make it into the second round was Sweden’s Peder Fredricson with H&M Carat Desire. However the home favourite had to settle for fourth place when knocking a single fence in the jump-off.

Bertram Allen and Christy Jnr winners of the Falsterbo Derby presented by Gigantprint

(Photo: Falsterbo Horse Show)

Irish riders have now scored a hat-trick of wins in Falsterbo this weekend. Bertram Allen and Izzy By Picobello led an Irish one-two-three in Thursday’s Grand Prix qualifier, while Cian O’Connor also scored a victory in Friday’s Agria Trophy with Copain du Perchet CH. Rodrigo Pessoa’s Irish team took third place on the podium in Friday’s Falsterbo Nations Cup.

The Falsterbo Horse Show will conclude on Sunday following the feature Longines Grand Prix.