Second Irish five-star win at Valence in France as Shane Breen comes out on top

Tipperary’s Shane Breen has scored Ireland’s second win in 24 hours at the French five-star fixture in Valence, coming out on top in tonight’s (Saturday) 1m50 speed class with Ipswich van de Wolfsakker.

 

Drawn 27th to jump out of 39 starters, Breen (pictured) and the 9-year-old stallion crossed the line clear in 68.01 seconds to overtake Germany’s Christain Ahlmann who had held the lead with Cornado II. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and MJT Nevados came closest to beating Breen’s time, but were still almost two seconds slower than the Irish winners. Breen collected €9,500 for the win, which comes a week after he scored another victory with the same horse in the Sport Ireland Classic at the Dublin Horse Show.

On Friday night in Valence, Galway’s Michael Duffy also recorded a win in a 1m45 speed class with Millfield Ultymate. Meanwhile at the two-star French show in Auvers, Waterford’s Peter Moloney and Calimero van ‘t Roth finished as runners-up in the Grand Prix behind British winner Guy Williams with Rouge De Ravel.