Young rider Niamh McEvoy put another win on the board in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix today at The Flavours of Fingal County Show. Riding BP Hybernia she lodged the winning round of clear in 36.77 and took home the winner’s share of the €5,000 in the Joe Duffy Motors supported class.
Owned by GBBS Int LTD the 13-year-old gelding was bred by the late Dr Noel Cawley, who sadly passed away last Thursday. He is by Flexible and out of Ballinakill Clover(ID) by Clover Hill (ID). He was formerly campaigned by Kevin Gallagher with much success up to Premier Series level. Last year under Gallagher’s command he won the opening round of the Premier Series in Portmore. In 2023, they clocked up a series of good result in Vejer de la Frontera in the CSI4*. Niamh took over the ride in June this year in Mullingar CSI2* and took third place in a 1.35m. She then went on to compete in Hartill CS3* In total 21 took on the Tom Holden designed course and from those, six double clears were delivered in the nine way jump-off.
Placed fourth in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix in Omagh with Gelvins Clover the day before, Dermott Lennon was back in the line-up. This time riding Anthem In My Heart, he took the runner-up spot when he came home clear in 38.85. Anthem In my Heart is a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding. The combination have only recently returned from Europe from a successful tour in Vejer de la Frontera CSI4*. Their good results include second and third place in a 1.40m two phase and fourth in a 1.45m Table A. This combination is moving up the leaderboard, having won the round in Portmore and placing third in Ballivor.
Tim Mac Donagh put in a very fast round with Hollypark Galloway, but fell short of Lennon’s time by a mere fraction of a second, crossing the line clear in 38.87 for third place. Bred by John McCann and owned by Jackie Lee, Hollypark Galloway is a 13-year-old gelding by Castlelawn Galloway and out of the Diamond Lad sired dam, Whitestown Diamond. It was a good weekend for this combination having also claimed second place in the 1.35m Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour.
Slotting into fourth place was Lt. James Whyte and Hawthorn Hill when they answered all the questions in 40.92. Bred by Jerry Quinn, 11- year-old mare is by Cardento and out of the Limmerick sired dam, Tummery Limelight. Niamh Mc Evoy took another share of the prize fund, when she posted another clear with Jargon DN in 42.45 for fifth place. Owned by David Hedley and bred by D Noordhuis, the nine-year-old gelding is by Zirroco Blue Vdl and is out of Fair Lady.
Edward Doyle and Quick Bill completed the top six when they lodged the last of the double clears in 44.21. Bred by Edward Doyle senior, the nine-year-old gelding is by Flexabill out of the Quick Star sired dam, Nalmund De La Tourette.