KURTEN AND KELLY IN THE MONEY AT MAGNA RACINO

WINS on the first day (Thursday) of the show at Magna Racino in Austria for Jessica Kurten and Capt. Michael Kelly lifted Irish hopes for the weekend, while in the four-star Diamond Tour the two again claimed top ten places, with Cian O’Connor joining them in the prize money.

Kurten and the grey gelding Contadoor were victorious in the four-star Platinum Tour speed class, while in the four-star Diamond Tour she placed fifth with the grey gelding Cool And Easy in the two phase competition. Kelly was close behind in sixth on the 17 year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Mo Chroi while seventh place went to Cian O’Connor and the bay mare Quidam’s Cherie. 

The winner’s trophy in this competition stayed on home soil when Stefan Eder and the stallion Chilli Van Dijk Nrw stopped the clock ahead of the rest of the big 62-strong field.

Meanwhile in the two-star Gold Tour, Kelly brought out another Irish Sport Horse, Drumiller Lough – who had distinguished himself with a clear round in last week’s Lisbon Nations’ Cup – to complete the Irish dominance of the day with a win in the speed class. 

Capt. Michael Kelly and Drumiller Lough (ISH)

BREEDING

Drumiller Lough (ISH) – 2003 bay gelding by Heartbreaker (KWPN) out of Pearl Diver (ISH), by Mountain Pearl (ID). Bred by Paul Dillon, Co. Armagh. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Capt. Michael Kelly (IRL)

Mo Chroi (ISH) – 1997 grey mare by Cruising (ISH) out of Into The Blue (ISH), by Mister Lord (TB). Bred by Claire McDonnell, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Minister for Defence. Rider: Capt. Michael Kelly (IRL)