Shane Breen scores fourth place finish in French five-star Grand Prix at Valence

Tipperary’s Shane Breen has collected €30,000 after he guided the 10-year-old stallion Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker to a fourth place finish in today’s (Sunday) five-star Grand Prix at Valence in France.

Shane Breen and Ipswich Van De Wolfsakker

They were among 13 combinations who jumped clear in the first round to set up a thrilling jump-off and took the lead when going clear in 48.25 seconds against the clock. Breen and Ipswich have previously recorded some excellent results on French soil, most notably back in June when they won the Monaco round of the Longines Global Champions Tour. They would eventually finish fourth on this occasion where victory went to American rider Kent Farrington with Gazelle after posting a scorching round in 43.85 to pocket €75,000.

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann took runner-up spot with Toveks Mary Lou (44.69) ahead of Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs in third with Clooney (47.25). Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Good Luck also made it into the jump-off and finished eighth overall with a single fence down in the decider.

Meanwhile at Ciekocinko in Poland, Limerick’s Shane Carey finished as runner-up in the two-star Grand Prix with Boomerang.