Daniel Coyle scores another five-star win at Spruce Meadows in Canada

Derry’s Daniel Coyle continued his amazing winning run, with victory in the five-star Scotiabank Cup in the early hours of this morning at Spruce Meadows in Canada.

Daniel Coyle and Cita

Coyle’s career has been on an incredible upward curve since he moved to Canada at the start of last year, with the 23-year-old recently breaking inside the top 50 in the Longines World Rankings. His latest win came in the 1m55 Scotiabank Cup, where he partnered the Sue and Ariel Grange-owned mare Cita to victory after a hugely competitive jump-off.

Eighteen of the 60 starters made it into the jump-off, with Coyle the sole Irish representative in the second round. Cita has gained a reputation as one of the fastest mares on the circuit and she didn’t disappoint, crossing the line clear in 37.79 seconds to finish well over a second clear of the nearest challenger.

Daniel Coyle and Cita take their position in front of the signature fence with Tony Aulicino, Managing Director, Scotiabank

When asked about creating his plan during the course walk, Coyle laughed, “I think I ended up changing my mind about 10 times over the first round course, I kept asking myself over and over – should I do three or four from the Liverpool to the skinny? I had made up my mind, I was set on doing three, well I ended up doing four.” Coyle went on, “Cita really does not want to knock a fence down which makes my job so much easier – All I have to do is steer and when I do it right, she is simply incredible.”

The podium was filled with three of the fastest mares in the sport. Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan and The Irish Sport Horse Sumas Zorro finished as runners-up in a time of 39.08, while American rider Ashlee Bond finished third with Chela LS (39.66).

ISH BREEDING

Suma’s Zorro (ISH) – 2004 chestnut mare by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN) out of Vixens Frolic (ISH), by Horos (TB). Bred by Susan Lanigan-O’Keeffe, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Joanne Sloan-Allen & Sameh El Dahan. Rider: Sameh El Dahan (EGY)