O’Regan and Seaview Demonstration double up in Mullingar Studbook Series final

Alan O’Regan won his second HSI Studbook Series seven-year-old final on the bounce with Seaview Demonstration (ISH) at Mullingar last weekend.

Having secured victory in Cavan’s jump-off last month, O’Regan and his FSS Corelli Bravo (ISH) gelding were imperious at Mullingar, holding off Derek McConnell and Inlaws Manolo (ISH) by 0.13 seconds.

Paddy O’Donnell was third with WEC Mermus Rua (ISH), Jason Higgins finished in fourth place on board Heritage MBF (ISH), Jason Foley was fifth with Balia Silvia (OLD) and Joanne Blair sixth with Tranquility Bay (ISH).

The win sees O’Regan close the gap at the top of the Studbook Series League table to just five points behind McConnell with two legs remaining before the final at Tattersalls in late July.

“He was really, really good – it’s been a great couple of weeks,” delighted Corkman O’Regan told HSI’s Sonja Egan on IrishSport.TV.

Alan O’Regan and Seaview Demonstration (ISH) jumping the Horse Sport Ireland jump in Mullingar Photo: Laurence Dunne www.jumpinaction.net

“He’s been super consistent for the last few weeks. Obviously he won in Cavan and now here. He was second in the qualifier and jumped great in the first round of the final on what was a tricky track. It was a really well-designed track with a tight time limit so you had to be quick and I knew I had stay fast.

“In the final then I knew I needed to be really quick because the guys before me had put good times up and Derek was coming after me so I knew I had to go for it.”

O’Regan heaped praise on Mullingar Equestrian Centre after the victory amd outlined his plan for the rest of the series.

He added: “I’d like to thank Mullingar for running an unbelievable show – every time you come here there are improvements. The canteen, the surface, the stables – the Fagan family are doing an incredible job.

“I’d also like to thank the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for sponsoring the HSI Studbook Series and I’m hoping to go to Ard Chuain maybe but definitely my home show in Maryville and on to the final then in Tattersalls.”

Vincent Byrne was all class in the six-year-old final on board Quality-Time Van Het Heieinde (BWP) with the stallion one of just three to jump double clear.

Joining Orla Queally and Kilnamac Maud (ISH) and Mikey Pender on HHS Rose (ISH) as the three, Byrne told of how he was expecting a bold show in Mullingar.

“I’m very happy with the horse. I had been building him up to today  through the spring and early summer, building towards the Dublin qualifiers and taking in earlier legs of the Studbook Series,” Byrne said.

Having been Preliminary Approved within the Irish Sport Horse Studbook in 2021, Quality-Time Van Het Heieinde (BWP) became eligible to jump in the series and he is grasping the opportunity.

“It’s great, he can compete in these Studbook classes and it’s great for his development. He’s by Elvis Ter Putte (BWP) out of a Kashmir Van Schuttershof (SBS) mother. He’s got an unbelievable temperament and is improving week-in, week-out.”

Sophie Richards and Make Me Happy with HSI CEO Denis Duggan and Interim Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development Sonja Egan after the five-year-old final in Mullingar Photo: Laurence Dunne www.jumpinaction.net

In the five-year-old final, Sophie Richards went double clear with both Newmarket Solo (ISH) and Make Me Happy (ISH) and she was understandably delighted with her afternoon.

“I’m so happy with both of the mares, they were super yesterday – they popped around nicely in the qualifier and then the final was a little bit more tricky,” Richards said.

“But they have a bit of mileage now having followed the Studbook Series and both jumped really well. We’ll follow the Series now until the final at Tattersalls and I’ll aim Newmarket Solo at the Dublin qualifier. Make Me Happy has already qualified so hopefully they’ll both be there at Dublin.”

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

1^st Seaview Demonstration (ISH) – Gelding by FSS Correlli Bravo (ISH) out of Galloway Star (ISH) by Castlelawn Galloway (OLD). Owner: Emma Horgan. Rider Alan O’Regan: Breeder James Keane

2^nd Inlaws Manolo (ISH) – Gelding by Corland (HOLST) out of Helena de la Vie (BWP) by Lord Z (HOLST). Owner: Sorcha Hennessy. Rider: Derek McConnell. Breeder: Tomas Hester.

3^rd WEC Mermus Rua (ISH) – Gelding by Mermus R (KWPN) out of Drs Chattanooga (ISH) by Abalou Verte (KWPN). Owner: Pat Peare Rider: Paddy O‘Donnell Breeder: Ray Browne

4^th Heritage MBF (ISH) – Gelding by Eldorado Van De Zeshoek (BWP) out of Volivia (KWPN) by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve (BWP) Owner: Meabh Bolger and Jason Higgins Rider: Jason Higgins Breeder: Anne Marie O’Gorman

5^th Balia Silvia (OLD) – Mare by Balou Du Rouet (OLD) out of Narnia Del Gardesano (SI) by Silvio I (OLD) Owner: Castlefield Breeding Farm Rider: Jason Foley (YR) Breeder: Hauptstr

6^th Tranquility Bay (ISH) – Gelding by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of Tullibards Lux Sensational (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Owner: Richard Bourns. Rider: Joanne Blair. Breeder: John Mulvey

SIX-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

To view pedigree details of horse and rider combinations of the double clear rounds, see https://sjilive.ie/results/12098982

FIVE-YEAR-OLD FINAL:

To view pedigree details of horse and rider combinations of the double clear rounds, see https://sjilive.ie/results/12098981