The Irish Breeders Classic at Barnadown came to an exciting conclusion last Sunday as it played host to the final round of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix league. Taking the honours on the day was Kilkenny native Ger O’Neill, aboard Cavalino. Fourth to go in the six-way jump-off, O’Neill crossed the line over three seconds faster than his closest rival in 38.74 seconds, to claim the lion’s share of the €4,000 in the Equine International Shipping-sponsored class.

Owned by Sharon Fitzpatrick, Cavalino, the 13-year-old Cassini 1-sired stallion, is a new to the Fitzpatrick stable, but has already some impressive results on his sheet. Campaigned by Susan Fitzpatrick, the combination were part of the silver winning team at the European championships in Austria last month.

Delighted with the win, O’Neill said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank Susan for letting me ride the horse this week.

“I found Cavalino for the Fitzpatricks in Germany and it’s great to see him deliver the results in such a short space of time. He is a horse with a lot of talent and a smart head. I rode him in the small class earlier in the week and it went well, but today he was in top form. Tom Holden had built a technical course and it suited him.

“It was a great show and it was great to see so many people watching the jumping and attending the sale. Full credit to Ronan Rothwell and Barnadown. It’s a show that just keeps getting better.”

Wicklow’s Darryl Walker also had much to celebrate as his second place finish with Cushions, clear in 42.24 seconds, ensured him the overall National Grand Prix title. Walker had gone in the final round on 55 points – a 12-point advantage over his closest rival Vincent Byrne. With points and half on offer, Walker took the crown as he added a further 16 points to his tally.

Taking the leading horse of the league was Manuela Martinelli’s nine-year-old Flexible-sired mare Cushions – finishing on a total score of 70 points. Under Walker’s command, the mare recorded three wins, along with a series of good placings.

“I am so happy with the result and it makes all the hard work worth it. I didn’t get to see Ger’s round, so my aim was to deliver a clear as I was sure at that point that a clear would mean that I would finish in the top three. I would like to thank my owners, sponsors and family for helping me throughout the year. The plan is to now produce the horses that I have on home soil. I have a few nice horses from Ringwood Construction that I am looking forward to bringing on,” said Walker.

Edward Doyle’s careful approach with Kris Marshall’s eight-year-old Diamant De Semilly-sired stallion Chirokko M, paid dividends for the Kildare rider as he lodged the final clear of the jump-off in 48.40 for third.

National champion Alexander Butler didn’t hang about with Vimminka, but four faults in 40.35 saw him slot into eventual fourth, ahead of Peter Smyth, who also had four faults with Cavalier Rusticana in the slower time of 40.35. Sam El Dahan put in a blistering round with WKD Diva when clocking 39.19, but it cost him dearly as he had two poles on the floor for sixth place.

Earlier in the week, Marti Rudd was in the ribbons as Monbeg Sunny Spells was crowned the leading five-year-old. The gelding, by Tullabeg Fusion and out of Tullabeg Holly, has been produced by Rudd and has already a series of good results, which includes qualifying for Dublin Horse Show as a four and five-year-old.

Greg Broderick was also back on the winners’ podium as he partnered the six-year-old gelding Alberta Mist to a win in the Irish Breeders’ Classic.

This is the second year for Broderick to take this title, having won it with Arraghbeg Clover in 2013. Owned by Caledonia Stables, the Womanizer-sired gelding,

Alberta Mist was produced by Broderick from a four-year old. Among their wins was the four-year-old championship in Cavan, five-year-old championship in Dublin and runner-up in the six-year-old championship this year in Dublin.