Darragh Kenny wins $131,000 Kentucky Grand Prix as three Irish finish in top five

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Babalou 41 continued their winning streak last night at Kentucky Spring Horse Show in Lexington, USA, with victory in the $131,000 Hollow Creek Farm three-star Grand Prix – coming on the back of another win for the pair in Thursday’s $35,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the same venue.

Darragh Kenny and Babalou 41

Just four combinations from the 36 starters jumped clear in the first round, with Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl taking the early lead in the jump-off when clear 36.05 seconds. However a scorching round from Kenny and Jack Snyder’s Babalou 41 saw them cross the line clear in 35.50 to take victory.

“It was a tough course, but [Babalou 41]’s jumping amazing at the moment and I just knew to walk my course, pick my plan and stick to it and it really worked out well,” Kenny commented. “For the jump-off [my plan] was just run. Todd [Minikus] was unbelievably fast and just amazing. It was either win or die trying. She’s so fantastic [Babalou 41]. She’s so careful and tries so hard. She turns unbelievable and I think she’s going to be an incredible mare for the future. We’re really learning each other now and it feels so good and she’s jumping well, I’m just so happy with her,” Kenny said.

Darragh Kenny and Babalou 41

Ireland’s Darragh Kerins also made it into the jump-off with Chill RZ and went on to finish fourth with a clear in 41.13, while Lorcan Gallagher and Hunters Conlypso also took fifth place for Ireland with the fastest four fault score from the first round.