CIAN O'Connor caused a surprise at Pforzheim in Germany this afternoon when finishing second in the Grand Prix on his first international outing with the nine year-old gelding 'Temple Road'.

Meath-based O'Connor is joint owner of the gelding with McNamee Bakeries, but for the last 18 months it had been produced on O'Connor's behalf by fellow Irish rider Shane Carey.

O'Connor has now taken over the ride, following the sale of his Irish-bred gelding 'Larkhill Cruiser', and was this afternoon delighted with his 13,000 euro finish. "It's our first outing today, and I think this is definitely a horse for the future, based on that result," he said.

Fourth place in the three-star German Grand Prix went to Shane Breen and his own Irish-bred Olympic Lux gelding 'Cos I Can', like O'Connor recording a double clear round.

The Grand Prix was won by Dutch rider Leon Thijssen and 'Tyson'.

Cian O'Connor