It was a well worthwhile journey from Waterford to Lurgan for Paddy O’ Donnell as he claimed the win in the David Prentice-sponsored Allianz mini Grand Prix in Portmore Equestrian last Saturday.

Riding Minority Report, O’Donnell lodged the winning time of 41.87 seconds and with it claimed his first win of the series.

O’Donnell was denied a win two weeks earlier in Wexford Equestrian after lodging the fastest time but with an unfortunate fault at the last. Based in Tramore, O’Donnell is no stranger to success having been previously crowned National Champion with his prolific winner Harristown Princess. Along with national success, he has racked up a series of good results on the international circuit up to CSIO5* level .

A GOOD YEAR

This has been an impressive year so far for O’Donnell, riding Hey There Delilah he won the International Speed Class in Millstreet, the Speed Derby qualifier at Hickstead CSI4*, he also placed sixth in the British Speed Derby.

On the national circuit, he also clocked up a series of good results which includes a win in the 1.35m class with Minority Report at the Cavan Indoor Championships earlier in the year. Working alongside his father Paddy O’ Donnell snr and his partner Maria Dagg, O’Donnell has a stable with both up and coming horses along with established mounts.

Owned by Joanna Rimmer, the 15- year-old gelding Minority Report was previously campaigned by his owner on the eventing circuit in the UK up to CIC3*.

Speaking after the win, O’Donnell said “ I was delighted with the win as we had narrowly missed out on victory in Wexford. I was unlucky with my other horse Swing Time who is owned by Maria (Dagg), he is an 11-year-old by Ars Vivendi.

“He was unlucky to have one down in a decent time. O’Donnell went on to praise the venue and the high standard of facilities. He urged riders to support this league as the shows put in a great effort this time of year to facilitate riders and horses at this level”.

MACMANUS ON POINT

County Down rider, Stephen MacManus riding Red Bird Point was almost four seconds slower when crossing the line in 45.83 seconds for second . Owned by Gilbert Fletcher, Red Bird Point is an 11 year-old mare out of Emily Bronte.

Portmore has proved to be happy hunting ground for this combination having finished in third place in the 1.40m national Grand Prix in April.

Donegal’s Gavin Harley riding Wienenn III also delivered a clear round in a slower time of 47.11 for third. Bred by Boeve Hermann and now owned by Kirsten Farr, the German bred Wienenn III is an 11 year-old by Clearway out of the Caretino-sired Gervala.

Prior to being campaigned by Harley, the gelding was campaigned by his owner at CSI1* level. This year under Harley’s command he competed at the CSI2* in Valkenswaard.

SUPER SONIC

Conall McLoughlin and Shannondale Sonic accounted for fourth when clear in 49.16. Owned by David McLoughlin, Shannondale Sonic is a 15-year-old gelding by Touchdown out of the Clover Hill-sired Union Clover Beauty.

Bred by Shane Connolly in Galway, the mare has produced offspring that have gone on to prove themselves in both show jumping and eventing. A full brother to Shannondale Sonic, Master Gold Touch has competed up to CIC2* in eventing.

Last of the double clears was Longford rider, Robert Harrison and Landlystes Rubina who clocked in 49.69. A Danish warmblood mare, the nine-year-old was bred by Peter Hoeck and is by Heartbeat out of the Quantum-sired Niquinta. This season, Harrison has campaigned the mare on the European circuit, taking in shows at Auvers CSI2*, Le Touquet CSI2*, Fontainebleau CSI2* and Beaumont Hague CSI2*.