Ger O’Neill left his rivals behind last Sunday as he took the honours in the third round of TRM/Horseware Grand Prix at Barnadown. Riding Dondoctro Ryal K, O’Neill was fastest in the 13-way jump-off and took home the lion’s share of the €5,000 in the Stallion Company-sponsored class.

O’Neil said: “I am delighted with the win today as I broke the horse myself and have been riding him ever since. It is really a special win when you see your hard work pay off. I actually bought the stallion as a three-year-old with Eamon and he brought me out when the stallion was five. This worked out for both myself and Eamonn as I have a horse to compete at the top level and he gets a great kick out of seeing us compete.”

Fast class

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“It was quite a fast class but the horse is quick across the ground. I knew that John Floody was coming after me so I took the chance and at the last and thankfully it paid off.”

Owned by Eamonn Murphy, Dondoctro Ryal K is an eight-year-old stallion by Indoctro out of and Ahorn mare, Toverfee S. Campaigned by O’Neill from a four-year-old, the pairing have proved very consistent throughout the grades.

As a five-year-old, the stallion won a five-year-old qualifier in Dublin and the following year also took second place in the qualifier at Dublin.

The combination got this year’s season off to a good start when claiming fourth in the Connolly’s Red Mills Spring Tour in Wexford in March and last week taking third in the national Grand Prix in Thomastown.

Speed merchant against the clock, John Floody had his eye on the red rosette but despite a series of good turns with Ballyknock Diamond, he failed to lower the target when crossing the line in 37.29 for second place. Amy O’Rourke filled third place with Joanne Attley’s Toscana when clear in 39.70.

Returning from international duty where they took seventh place in the Grand Prix in Eschweiler, Edward Doyle and Chirokko slotted into fourth place when clear in 40.17.

Fifth place was occupied by Neal Fearon and Billy On Time, when they left everything in place in 40.18.

A recent graduate of the pony ranks, Michael Pender made his presence felt in the senior arena when he lodged a clear in 40.47 with Z7 Cordanos V for sixth place.

ISH studbook classes

Also taking place in Barnadown was the second round of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series. Taking the honours in the seven-year-old final was Francis Connors and the Clinton (HOLST) gelding, Primo Troy (ISH). Owned by Michael Hayden and Paul O’Shea, Primo Troy jumped double clear in a time of 38.15 to take the win. One of only five double clears in the class, Connors beat off stiff competition from the nine combinations who made it through to the jump-off in both the five-year-old and six-year-old final, a total of 10 combinations jumped double clear to divide the prize fund.