O’Connor snatches Swedish Derby trophy, Lennon second

IN what has already been a successful weekend for Irish show jumpers, Cian O’Connor added to the prize haul by snatching the world-famous Falsterbo Derby in Sweden this afternoon (Saturday), with fellow-countryman Dermott Lennon claiming the runner-up spot.

Olympic bronze medallist O’Connor, piloting Adenda Spring’s mare Quidam’s Cherie, was one of only three riders to make it through to the jump-off from a starting field of 22, and delivered a convincing second round, coming home with one-and-a-half seconds in hand to take the 24,750 euro first prize and the Derby Trophy.

O’Connor is only the third Irish rider ever to win the Falsterbo Derby, with Lt. Col. Gerry Mullins and Capt. Shane Carey his predecessors.

In second place today, Co. Down’s Dermott Lennon and Judith Sossick’s Irish Sport Horse mare Loughview Lou Lou also delivered a clear jump-off round to collect 15,000 euro in prize money. Lennon had a speed class win earlier in the week with Vampire.

Third was Britain’s William Funnell and the gelding Billy Onslow, over two seconds off the pace of Lennon in the final round.

In the US this weekend, Ireland’s David Blake and Binkie won 10,000 euro for a jump-off win at the four-star show in Tryon, North Carolina, while Kilkenny’s Richie Moloney delivered two victories at the same venue on the gelding Alsvid to add a further 20,000 euro to Irish winnings.

Cian O’Connor, competing on Quidam’s Cherie, winners of the Falsterbo Derby in Sweden today.