Kerins win keeps up strong Irish pressure at Spruce Meadows

SLIGO’S Darragh Kerins last night (Thursday) kept up strong Irish pressure at the five-star show in Spruce Meadows, Canada, with a win in the $35,000 feature class on the nine year-old gelding E Muze Yek.

With nine through to the jump-off in the Spectra Energy Cup from a startlist of 28, Kerins set the fastest time early in the second round  and went on to claim his first ever victory at the Calgary event, which takes place in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

He said afterwards: “The first couple of years I came, it beat me up pretty bad to just get second places. To come back this year and win was great. The horse can be a bit sensitive and this ring can be daunting. He’s maturing very quick. I didn’t think he’d be this far a couple months ago. I couldn’t be happier with where he’s at right now.”

Irish riders have maintained a high scoring pattern at Spruce Meadows this week, with Kerins, Conor Swail, Cameron Hanley and Darragh Kenny all producing top ten places over the last two days against formidable north and south American combinations.

An Irish Sport Horse, Roundthorn Madios, also claimed victory last night in the $33,000 Prairie Mines & Royalty Cup, ridden by the USA’s Lauren Tisbo.

The Spruce Meadows Grand Prix, with $400,000 in prize money up for grabs, takes place on Saturday, with the Nexen Cup Derby running on Sunday.