Greg Broderick lodged his first win in the 2017 SJI National Grand Prix series when leading the victory lap on the second day of the the National Balmoral Championships (Monday 17th July). Broderick, who is a major contender in the New Heights Champion Series came close to recording a win in the National Grand Prix when finishing second to Liam O’ Meara at Thomastown.
Riding Billy Pringle, the Tipperary rider came out in front in a 14- way jump-off when recording a clear in a time of 53.18 seconds to secure the lion’s share of the €4,000 purse on offer in the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges and Friends of National Balmoral sponsored class.
Owned by GBBS Int Ltd & Shane Breen, Billy Pringle is a seven-year-old gelding by Kannan out of Spectrum. Under Broderick’s command since April, the pairing have been consistently placed in the aged classes.
On duty, Rafael Suarez set the challenge for the 47 starters and with the course causing no major concerns, 14 combinations proceeded to the jump-off.
Returning from a successful tour of international duty, Jenny Rankin made her presence felt on home soil when she partnered Tullibards Benny's Legacy into the runner-up spot when clear in 55.10 seconds. Rankin has only just returned from the CSI2* at Kronenberg where she was competing on four horses. The Bourns Sport Horse resident rider clocked up a series of good results, which included fourth place with Benny’s Legacy in the Grand Prix.
17 year-old Kildare rider Sean Monaghan didn't put a foot wrong with Caius and a clear in 56.50 saw this partnership slot into fourth place. This is a new partnership for Monaghan, having only began riding the 13-year-old Caretino sired stallion in June.
Team member for the up-coming Young Rider Championships in Slovakia, Anna Carway demonstrated her talents when she piloted Ajaccio into fourth when clear in 59.01. Like Rankin, Carway has clocked up a series of results on the international circuit. Earlier in the year she pulled off a hat trick in Cagnes-de-mer, when winning all three under 25’s Grand Prix’s with Ajaccio.
Placed third in Bannow & Rathangan Grand Prix last week, fellow Kilkenny rider Susan Fitzpatrick added to her tally when she recorded the last of the double clears with the seven-year-old Fellow Castlefield in 60.37 seconds for eventual fifth place.
Speed merchant against the clock Peter Smyth and Cavalier Rusticana proved that the time could be caught when they stopped the clock in 49.58 seconds, but it came at a price as he crossed the line carrying four faults and as a result slotted into sixth place.