Offaly’s Darragh Kenny wins five-star €500,000 Rolex Belgian Grand Prix – Bertram Allen third as three Irish finish in top six

A devastating performance from Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and the Ann Thompson-owned stallion Balou Du Reventon, saw them take victory in today’s lucrative €500,000 five-star Rolex Belgian Grand Prix presented by Audi, where they pushed Germany’s reigning individual World Champion Simone Blum into second place with DSP Alice, while Wexford’s Bertram Allen also took third place on the podium for Ireland Harley Vd Bisschop.

Darragh Kenny and Balou Du Reventon clear the final Rolex fence on their way to victory (Photo: Knokke Hippique)

Just six riders managed to jump clear in the first round, with three of those coming from Ireland. Co Louth’s Mark McAuley was the first rider to produce a clear round with Valentino Tuiliere. He finished with one fence down when first to go in the jump-off which saw him take sixth place at the finish. Germany’s reigning individual World Champions Simone Blum (GER) with DSP Alice, looked like they had posted an unbeatable target of clear in 42.65 to take the lead. Bertram Allen and Harley Vd Bisschop gave it a good try finishing just fractionally slower in 42.96 and would eventually collect €75,000 for a third place finish. Kenny and Balou Du Reventon were simply outstanding and crossed the line clear in 42.17 when last to go to take the top prize of a new Audi Q7 along with almost €72,000.

(l-r) Simone Blum (2nd place), Darragh Kenny (1st place) and Bertram Allen (3rd place) stand on the podium following the Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi (Photo: Knokke Hippique)

It was Darragh Kenny’s second Grand Prix win in the space of 24 hours after he had also won Saturday’s three-star Grand Prix with Sweet Tricia. The Offaly rider crowned a brilliant weekend by being named leading international rider of the show just ahead of Bertram Allen in second.

Darragh Kenny and Balou Du Reventon (Photo: Knokke Hippique)

Meanwhile at St Tropez in France, Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick and the Sharon Fitzpatrick-owned Fellow Castlefield recorded an excellent third place finish in the four-star Grand Prix. A double clear round saw them collect €15,000 with victory going to Guillaume Foutrier (FRA) with Valdocco des Caps.