Irish winning run in USA continues as Moloney truimphs in five-star Florida Grand Prix

KILKENNY’s Richie Moloney scored one of the biggest wins of his career to-date, when he claimed the $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida in the early hours of this morning (Sunday).
The ninth week of the lucrative Florida festival saw jumping raised to five-star level and Moloney ensured that the Irish picked up where they left off last weekend, as he added yet another massive win to the Irish haul.
Irish course builder Alan Wade saw just eight of the 42 starters go clear in the opening round, with Moloney the sole representative for Ireland in the second round jump-off. Riding the 13-year-old stallion Carrabis Z, who is owned by Equinimity LLC, Moloney produced a stunning clear round when fourth to go against the clock.
His time of 45.04 seconds saw him comfortably take the winners prize – a full second and-a-half ahead of runner-up Sharn Wordley from New Zealand with Casper, while American rider Lillie Keenan was the only other competitor to post a double clear round to finish third with Super Sox.
Moloney’s win comes on the back of another Grand Prix win for Offaly’s Darragh Kenny in Florida last weekend, along with a Nations Cup victory for Robert Splaine’s Irish team at the Palm Beach venue.

Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z in action at Palm Beach in Florida (Photo: Erin Gilmore)