Francis Connors returned to Bannow and Rathangan Agriculture Show to claim the SJI National Grand Prix for the second year in a row. Riding Hyperion, he took home the winners share of the €5,000 prize in the Jim Bolger-sponsored class.

Last year Connors took the win in the feature class with Lates Du Carel and finished in second place with Hyperion.

Speaking after the class, Connors said: “It was a very competitive class and going first in the jump-off is difficult, especially when you have fast combinations coming after you.

“I took a few very tight lines and thankfully it worked out for me. Hyperion is owned by Bobby Flynn, who has been a great supporter of mine for many years. I was also in the ribbons in the Pettitts young horse class and had the leading five-year-old with Hugh Fitzpatrick’s Erne Mountain Dew who finished sixth.”

Owned by Bobby Flynn, Hyperion comes from an impressive breeding line. A 12-year-old gelding by Lux Z and out of Flynn’s mare Cruiseway. Hyperion was produced by Connors and boasts an impressive record at home and abroad.

Bred by John McGuinness, the dam Cruiseway who passed away a few years ago, was by Cruising out of Brave Cully. Connors began campaigning Cruiseway in 1996 and within two years the combination where jumping at Grand Prix level.

In 1998 they finished second at the Dublin Horse show and from there went on to be prolific winners in Grand Prix’s around the country. The mare went on to have five offspring.

In second place was Ger O’Neill riding Dondoctro Ryal K, just a fraction of a second behind when clear in 37.66.

Owned by Eamonn Murphy, Dondoctro Ryal K is a nine-year-old stallion by Indoctro out of the Ahorn-sired mare Toverfree S. The stallion has off spring on the ground since 2012. His offspring currently campaigning on the national circuit include ESI Global Warming, Castlefield Ciao, Castlefield Falcon, Castlefield Sapphire, Leonardo Dondoctro, Little Castlefield Domino, Moonlit Swayze.

PETTITTS NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ger O’ Neill, who is well known for producing young horses also had the winner of the Pettitts Novice Showjumping five and six- year-old Championship. Riding Eamonn Murphy’s six-year-old mare Columbcille Gipsy, he lodged a clear in 37.09 to take home the winner share of the €2,500 prize.

Bred by Murphy, Columbcille Gipsy is a six-year-old mare by Toulon out of Gipsy 111. Murphy also has Columcille Gipsy’s two year old full sister Columbcille Modell. He has also crossed the mare with Doncoctro Ryal K and has one five-year old (Columbcille Doctro) and one four-year-old (Columbcille Don).

LEINSTER SUMMER TOUR

On Sunday, Mullingar Equestrian played host to the round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour. Now at the halfway point, this popular league went down to the wire. Taking the win in the 1.35m was Galway rider Damien Patrick Griffin.

Riding his own Lissyegan Lui Royale, he was one of eight double clears in 39.99 seconds.

Bred by Margaret Griffin, Lissyegan Lui Royale is a nine-year-old mare by Luidam out of the Cavalier Royale-sired mare Lissyegan Clover Royale. The dam was campaigned by Griffin himself up to 1.30m until 2008. Lissyegan Lui Royale is one of eight foals from this mare.

In the 1.20m section of the tour, victory belonged to Mark Finnerty when he crossed the line with a clean sheet in 25.01 seconds aboard Emma. Owned by Rory Finnerty, Emma is a seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood by Nabab De Reve and out of Giolita. This mare is also campaigned by Finnerty on the young rider circuit and qualified for the Dublin Horse Show in the 1.15m division at Mullingar in May.