Runner-up finish for Darragh Kenny and VDL Cartello in Madrid LGCT Grand Prix

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and his Tokyo Olympic mount VDL Cartello finished in a share of second place in this evening’s (Saturday) five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid in Spain.

Darragh Kenny (IRL), Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Sanne Thijssen (NED) stand on the podium following the LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid (Photo: LGCT)

Ten combinations made it through to the jump-off where Kenny took the lead with the Heathman Farm-owned stallion when posting the first double clear in 39.91 seconds. Brazil’s Marlon Módolo Zanotelli was next to go with VDL Edgar M and remarkably they crossed the line clear in exactly the same time. It looked as though Ireland and Brazil would share victory before 23-year-old Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen claimed a memorable win with Con Quidam RB after they crossed the line clear in 39.15 when last to go. Thijssen became the third-youngest rider to ever win a prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.

The Championship race now moves to Ramatuelle, Saint-Tropez for leg five of the spectacular global circuit.