Spanish Grand Prix win for Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny (ISH)

Meath’s Cian O’Connor and The Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny were in unbeatable form at the Andalucía October Tour at the weekend, taking victory in Sunday’s three-star Grand Prix at Vejer De La Frontera in Spain.

Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny (ISH) Photo: Andalucía Sunshine Tour

It was the first outing for 10-year-old gelding Kilkenny, bred by Sinead Brennan and owned by Susan Magnier, since helping Ireland to victory in the Aga Khan at the Dublin Horse Show in August. Ten combinations from the 38 starters went forward to the jump-off, where O’Connor’s perfect clear in 39.35 seconds saw him finish half-a-second ahead of American runner-up Laura Kraut and Baloutinue (39.93), while third place went to Spain’s Iván Serrano Sáez and Rain Man.

Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny (ISH) Photo: Andalucía Sunshine Tour

Two Irish Sport Horses finished in the top four, with Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick finishing fourth with another clear in 40.44.

BREEDING
Kilkenny (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH) by Guidam (SF), bred by Sinead Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner Susan Magnier. Rider Cian O’Connor.
Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick (ISH) – 2010 mare by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Go Luckey (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeder: Dorothea Wilson. Owner: Robin Bingham. Rider: Niamh McEvoy (IRL).