McAuley finishes first and third in San Remo Grand Prix

CO. LOUTH-born Mark McAuley claimed both first and third places in this weekend’s Grand Prix at San Remo, Italy, and second place in the show’s Derby competition.

McAuley won the Grand Prix with a double clear round on Dingo de Amoranda, and though going clear in the opening round with his second horse Loriot, a rail down in the jump-off took them down to third place.

The 26 year-old, who is now based in Italy, was runner-up with Loriot in tonight’s (Sunday) Derby, a four fault round leaving him behind Swiss winner Barbara Schnieper with Panora von Bueren.

In the five-star show at Oslo, Norway, Tipperary’s Shane Breen collected 3,300 euro for a second place in Saturday night’s Puissance aboard the ten year-old Widny, failing to clear the wall on the third jump-off, while Clonmel’s John Hickey took third place after being eliminated on the same round, taking home 2025 euro. The competition was won by Netherlands rider Jur Vrieling and Hestehusets Bambino, who cleared the wall on all three jump-offs and took the first prize of 5250 euro.

Eighteen year-old Irish rider Michael Duffy was 11th in the two-star Grand Prix at Dunkerque in France today (Sunday) aboard Zarnita, with the top honours going to the Ukraine’s Casio Rivetti and Chataga. The Clare-born competitor did, however, claim victory in Saturday night’s feature class with the Irish Sport Horse Touch of Chilli.