Connaught rider, Shane Goggins proved to be a popular winner of the National Grand Prix in Galway County Show last Sunday. Riding Wrangler II, he was one of six double clears in a ten way jump-off. Fifth to go over the Paul Duffy designed course, Goggins lodged the winning round of 39.41 seconds, to claim the lion’s share of €5,000 on offer, in the jointly sponsored Martin Flesh and Walsh Heating & Plumbing sponsored class.

Speaking after the class, Goggins said: “I was delighted to have the win on home soil. Duffy’s ran a great show and the course was fitting for this time of the season. Wrangler II came from Germany at the start of the year and this was our first grand prix win. He is a horse that is naturally quick, so I knew that it was possible to catch the leader. I watched Liam O’ Meara go with Mr Coolcaum, as I knew he was the one to beat. I kept it tight as I could and thankfully it paid off.”

A new mount for Goggins, 15-year-old Wrangler II (KWPN) was bred by Wlm Beltmaat and is by Padinus and out of the Burgraff sired mare, Tirza. Before coming to Ireland, Wrangler II was campaigned by the late Jack Dodd, who tragically passed away earlier this month. Under Jack’s command, the pairing clocked up many results including two runner-up placings in Redefin CSI3* and Münster CSI4*, to name but a few. After a successful career with Jack, the horse also was campaigned by Dennis Lynch and Bertram Allen.

Galway rider, Thomas O’Brien was fractions behind with Paciro, when he stopped the clock in 39.91 for second. Bred by Patrick Flanagan and owned by O’ Briens student, Aoife McCabe, Paciro (ISH) is a seven year-old gelding, by Pacino (BWP) and out of the Ramiro B sired, Ramiro View. The gelding was previously campaigned by McCabe in the aged classes and up to 1.35m level and qualified for the RDS in the aged classes last year. The combination finished as runners-up in the ISH Studbook Series in Mullingar International earlier this month.

O’Meara on target

Defending champion Liam O’Meara added valuable points to his leader board standings, when he slotted into third place with Mr Coolcaum, clear in 39.97. This result puts O’Meara on target to retain his title as he tops the leader board on 33 points.

Bred by Kevin Farragher from Galway and owned by O’Meara, Mr Coolcaum is a 14 year-old traditional Irish Sport Horse gelding, by Coolcaum Hill and out of the Indian Ruler sired mare, Ranch Lady.

Wicklow rider, Darryl Walker accounted for the next two placings, finishing fifth with Laura Durkin’s Kiss N Fly (Guidam x Coolamber) in a time of 41.92. Walker was slightly slower riding his own CCS Automatic (Lux Z x Diamonds For Ann) he crossed the line in a time of 43.21 for fifth.

Winner of the Connaught league in 2017, Raphael Lee partnered his uncle John Lee’s Captain Marko jumped clear to finish sixth. Bred by Gabriel Slattery, the eight year-old gelding is by Captain Clover and out of the dam White Kannan.

A seven-old full brother to Captain Marko, Lakeview Captain Kannan, is currently being campaigned on the young rider circuit by Oliver Penfold. Another full brother, Captain On the Move (10-year-old) has proved successful on the evening circuit.