Kenny scores first Irish victory at five-star Antwerp

  • 25 April 2015, 13:49

OFFALY native Darragh Kenny flew over from his adopted US home to compete in the Longines Global Champions’ Tour five star Antwerp show this weekend, and took a 6,000 euro win this morning (Saturday) in the speed class.

Riding the 13 year-old Limmerick Irish Sport Horse mare Belle Rock, Kenny was 13th to jump in a 26-strong field, and despite a strong challenge from Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly and Domngo, still had half a second in hand at the finish, to chalk up Ireland’s first victory at the show.

Speaking afterwards, Kenny said: “I’ve only had the horse for a month and though she was a little unlucky in the Global Champions’ Tour in Miami, she has a really big stride and so she’s quite fast but very very careful.”

Kenny will compete Caroline Lloyd’s gelding Sans Soucis Z in this evening’s Global Champions’ Tour Belgian Grand Prix, and will be joined by fellow Irish rider Bertram Allen, who finished third in the World Cup Final last week. Allen will be riding Quainton Stud’s gelding Quiet Easy 4.

Darragh Kenny and Sans Soucis Z, on whom he'll compete in this evening's Global Champions Tour Grand Prix

Darragh Kenny and Sans Soucis Z, on whom he’ll compete in this evening’s Global Champions Tour Grand Prix