Irish domination continues at Dublin Horse Show as Sweetnam scores fifth win for home team

Irish riders have made it five wins out of five in the international classes at the Stena Line Dublin Horse Show, with Cork’s Shane Sweetnam and Indra Van De Oude Heihoef winning the Stablelab Stakes on day two at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

Shane Sweetnam and Indra Van De Oude Heihoef

Eleven combinations made it through to the jump-off, and at the finish the leaderboard was once again dominated by the Irish. Sweetnam took the winners prize of €16.500 after clocking the fastest clear of 39.21 seconds with the 10-year-old Indra, who is owned by The Blue Buckle Group. Co Louth’s Mark McAuley finished second with Jasco VD Bisschop (39.80), while Mayo’s Cameron Hanley took third place with Eis Isaura (39.95).

In the morning’s Speed Derby by Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Tipperary’s Shane Breen claimed the honours with the Team Z7-owned Can Ya Makan. They crossed the line clear in 80.85 seconds to take the top prize of just over €8,000, while Co Down’s Dermott Lennon finished as runner-up with Vampire (82.44). Britain’s Holly Smith took third place with The Irish Sport Horse Quality Old Joker.

Earlier today the draw was made for tomorrow’s Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan trophy, with the home team from Ireland getting a favourable draw as last to jump of the eight teams, while Italy will be the first team into the arena.

The 2018 Irish Aga Khan squad sponsored by Devenish & The Underwriting Exchange (l-r) Shane Sweetnam, Cameron Hanley, Michael Blake (assistant team manager), Rodrigo Pessoa (Irish Show Jumping team manager), Mark McAuley, Paul O’Shea and Billy Twomey Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

The Irish Aga Khan team, sponsored by Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange, will line out is as follows:

Cork’s Shane Sweetnam with Main Road – owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC
Louth’s Mark McAuley with Utchan De Belheme – owned by Charlotte McAuley
Limerick’s Paul O’Shea with Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu – owned by Skara Glen Stables, Whipstick Farm, P. Hurter & P. Agnew
Mayo’s Cameron Hanley with Quirex – owned by Patrick Mielnik

The Longines FEI Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan trophy starts at 3pm, with live coverage starting from 1.45pm on RTE 1 television.

The Irish Show Jumping Team is sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange and Devenish
Equiline – Official athlete clothing supplier of Team Ireland Equestrian