Kenny takes top two places in Wellington speed class

OFFALY-born Darragh Kenny fielded two horses in tonight’s (Friday) speed class at the five-star show in Wellington Florida, and brought them home in the top two places.

The Irish rider first stopped the clock at the Palm Beach Equestrian Centre in 57.87 seconds with Toffolon Partners LLC’s Irish Sport Horse Gatsby to take the lead in a 51-strong field. Later in the start list Kenny brought out Oakland Ventures LLC’s gelding Picolo and managed to clip three-quarters of a second off his previous time to claim both first and second places.

The USA’s Jessica Springsteen was his nearest challenger with Davendy S, but had to settle for third place after finishing a third of a second off the Irishman’s runner-up time.

Ireland also claimed fourth place in the competition, with Co. Down’s Conor Swail and Grand Cru vd JIJF Eiken finishing on 59.26.

Kenny, who turned 27 earlier this week, collected a total of 13,300 euro for his first and second places.

Wellington’s major event of the week is its World Cup class, which begins at midnight Irish time on Saturday.

Darragh Kenny and Picolo