Returning from a successful show at Chantilly, Cian O'Connor left his rivals behind as he took his the honours in the TRM/Horseware Premier Series at South County Dublin on Sunday (2nd August)

Riding the eight-year-old stallion Aramis 573, he claimed the majority share of the €12,000 in the Doyle, Bagnall and McMahon sponsored class.

Speaking after the win O'Connor said; “It’s always good to have a win so close to Dublin as it gives you an extra bit of confidence. I am very pleased with Aramis as he is still quite young and he handled the track very well. It is a good insight to what his future holds. I am delighted to see my student Lilli Keenan in the line-up. She comes from a different system in America and it’s encouraging to see her adapt to the European Style and deliver the results today. She has a super team of horses with her and she will be competing with them until she starts college in September in Harvard.”
 
By Askari and out of Kentucky III, Amamis 573 has delivered some impressive results on the International circuit, including runner-up spot in the 1m50 Tom Hudson Derby at Hickstead’s four-star show. Purchased by O'Connor in May last year after winning the young horse final in Magna Racino, the stallion then went on to win the young horse 7/8 Championship at Dublin Horse Show and finished second in the indoor championship at Cavan Equestrian Centre in September.               

First to go in the second round, Lillie Keenan opted to take the more cautious approach with Super Sox and it paid off as she delivered the first double clear in 43.95 seconds.

Next to go, local rider Edward Doyle had the support of the home crowd, but despite lodging a clear with and Mullaghdrin Touch the Stars, his time of 45.28 failed to demote Keenan and later accounted for fourth place.

There was anxious moments for Keenan as Dean Rogan set out strong with Falco Van Spieveld. The tight turns cost him dearly, as he faulted at the second part of the double, but a fast time of in 39.92 proved good enough for sixth place.
 
Liam O’ Meara and Mr Coolcaum also put in a faultless performance over the two rounds, but a slower time of 45.05 saw him slot into third.

Runner-up the day before, Vincent Byrne was looking to improve on this performance, but despite finishing on zero faults his time of 45.33 with Hannibal V Overis Z, saw him take fifth place.
 
All eyes were on Cian O'Connor and Amamis 573. O'Connor made up time from the off and this matched with a series of tight turn backs saw him lodge the winning round of 40.32, leaving his student Keenan take the runner-up spot.

TRM/Horseware Premier Grand Prix South County South County Dublin Horse Show 2015
 
Sponsored by: Doyle, Bagnall and McMahon 
 
1st Aramis 573/C. O'Connor 0/0 40.32
2nd Super Sox/L.Keenan 0/0 43.95
3rd Mr Coolcaum/L. O'Meara 0/0 45.05
4th Mullaghdrin Touch The Stars/E. Doyle 0/0 45.28
5th Hannibal V Overis Z/V.Byrne 0/0 45.33
6th Falco Van Spieveld/D.Rogan 0/4 39.92
 
9 through to the second round