Paddy O’Donnell finished as runner up with Louis D’Or in the Autumn Grand Prix at Wexford Equestrian last year. On Saturday he returned to the venue for the Top Spec 1.35m Autumn Grand Prix and partnered Minority Report to victory. The combination jumped clear in 31.96 seconds.

There were only three clear rounds from 32 starters in the class sponsored by Botanica and DPL limited. This is the second victory for this O’Donnell and Minority Report at the Wexford venue, having previously led the victory lap in 2016.

Owned by Joanna Rimmer, the 16- year-old gelding Minority Report, who was previously called Finnegan’s Whiskers was campaigned by his owner on the eventing circuit in the UK up to CIC3*. He has recorded a number of good international show jumping results under O’Donnell.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last year they finished second in Cavan International, seventh in the Derby Qualifier in Hickstead CSI4* and sixth in the Derby. This year they won the Gold Tour in Millstreet CSI2* and finished sixth in the Derby qualifier in Hickstead CSI4*.

Although O’ Donnell has been campaigning the horse since 2015, he first saw him at Goresbridge as a four-year-old. At the time the horse was bought by a family friend Joe Rimmer, who promised that the horse would return to Ireland to be campaigned by Paddy O’ Donnell, once he had finished his eventing career.

National Young Rider Champion, Jack Ryan was hot on O’Donnell’s heels. He partnered Cavalier Teaca to second with a clear in 32.92. Owned by Jack’s mother Marguerite, Cavalier Teaca is an 11-year-old mare.

The mare has been influential for Ryan this season. Bred by Barry Kiernan, she is by Glidawn Diamond, out of the Cavalier Royale sired mare, Teaca. This the third consecutive year Ryan has secured the young rider title. Ryan is trained by Eddie Moloney and is no stranger to success and among his international duties was a place on the Irish senior squad in the Young Horse World Championships at Lanaken this year.

Kildare’s Edward Doyle delivered the last of the double clears with Gina Prescott’s Billy Guilder (AES) in 38.72 for third.

Bred by Donal Barnwell, the nine-year-old gelding is by Billy Congo out of the Cavalier sired dam Dollar Day.

BARNWELL BREEDING

Barnwell was brought up in a farming family in Co Wexford and from an early age was involved with horses. He went to agricultural college, graduated and farmed pigs commercially for three years before moving to horses.

His first job was with the late Pat Cash where he spent three years learning the trade. Barnwell moved to England 25 years ago to work for one of Pat Cash’s clients near Maidenhead. He developed the business and extended his contacts in before setting out on his own in Chichester, before moving to Kirdford, West Sussex.

Historically, Barnwell has specialised in eventers but his involvement in the Billy Stud, owned by William and Pippa Funnell, has broadened his reach to breeding competition horses for all disciplines.

LINE-UP

Nicholas Connors and Abordable Du Talus lowered one fence in 34.36 for fourth. It was a great season for this combination who won the 1.40m Young Rider Championship in Dublin. Connors who is from Waterford is now in his second year of veterinary medicine in UCD.

Edward Doyle featured again when he crossed the line with Peadar Byrne Cruise Mor carrying four faults in at time 38.48 for fifth. Bred by Peadar Byrne the seven-year-old mare is by Furisto’s Diamond and out of the Cruising sired dam, Ballynahia Cruise. This combination won the consolation class at the Irish Breeders Classic this year.

Peter Flanagan opted for a more careful approach with Emily Horgan’s Bua Gan Noctadh, but four faults in 40.49 saw him slot into sixth. This is the second good result for this combination, having finished sixth in the Meadows.