Irish Sport Horses dominated at Cavan CSI 1* last week. Thomas O’Brien won the first international class, the Abbey Upholstery sponsored Welcome Stakes, with the Irish Sport Horse, Miss Darco. The Galway rider crossed the line, clear in 59.80 seconds.

Owned by Thomas O’ Brien and bred by Sinead Connelly the eight-year-old mare is by Darco and out of the Drossan sired dam, Green Sleeps Divine. She has been produced by O’Brien and was consistently placed through all the aged cand the ISH Studbook classes. The combination won a class at Millstreet CSI1* this year.

Cormac Rafferty and KMR Benzini, also jumped clear for second. KMR Benzini is another Irish Sport Horse making a mark on the circuit. Bred by Carol McLaughlin and owned by Aoife Rafferty the 10-year-old gelding is by Morgangold Major and out of Benzini Belle.

Butler victory

There was a full house for the second international class on Friday evening. 18 combinations went through to the jump-off. County Meath native Alexander Butler lodged the winning round with the 10-year-old Dutch Bred gelding, Dekato (Upgrade x Windekind II).

Jordan Coyle made up time with Chuckles, coming home in 32.56 to take second. Owned by Celtic Park Horses and bred by Stoffels Edgar, the 10-year-old gelding is by Cicero Z and out of a Flamenco De Semilly sired dam, Viola.

Victory in the Farnham Hotel sponsored 1.35m international class went to Tim MacDonagh with Tick Tock Tina. Bred by Brendan Noone and owned by Jackie Lee, the 11-year-old gelding is by Beowulf and out of Covers Diamonds Sister.

Olive Clarke’s careful approach paid off when she delivered the only other clear with Aimoise Valiere in 39.48 for second. Owned by Lauren Kardel, the eight-year-old mare is by Quaprice Boimargot Quincy and out of Gerboise Du Montoi.

Clarke placed twice in the 1.20m final. She finished second with Kinmar Chedancer and fourth with Carrowgar J’taime.

Floody on top

John Floody won the Cavan Council 1.40m Challenge with Ballyknock Diamond on Sunday. Bred and owned by Francis Hughes from County Louth, Ballyknock Diamond (ISH) is by Jacomar out of Ballinlock.

Emily Turkington was hot on Floody’s heals, finishing second with Jay Gatsby. Owned by Cormac Mckay, the eight-year-old gelding is by Gatsby and out of Tullydraw Lady.

Shane Goggins emerged victorious with Carrow Kavannan in the international 1.30m Power and Speed. Goggins also won the final of the 1.30 with Galway Bay R. Tholm Keane and Future Storm finished less than half a second behind Goggins in the international class with Future Storm.

Young horses

Winner of the Patricia Foley sponsored five-year-old class was junior rider, Ciaran Nallon and Javas Keltic Freedom. Owned and bred by Judy Murphy, the gelding is by Pacino and out of the Clover Hill sired dam, Celtic Tiger. This combination have been very consistent in the aged classes, the ISH Stud Book Series and in the young rider arena.

In the NV Stables Billy Davidson six-year-old class victory went to Linda Moloney and Zilko when clear in 38.20. Zilko is a seven-year-old mare, by Je T’Aime Flamenco by a Corland sired mare, Zilke.

The mare has been produced by Moloney. She has proved consistent through her career, with numerous wins in the aged classes, including a win in Dublin Horse Show and multiple wins in the Studbook Series.