Michael Duffy scores another Global Champions Tour podium finish in Shanghai

Galway’s Michael Duffy has continued his superb run in the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, by claiming a third place finish in today’s (Sunday) fourth round of the series at Shanghai in China.

Riding the 10-year-old gelding Cantano 32, Duffy was one of seven combinations to make it into the jump-off. Duffy was clear until the very last fence in the jump-off where he picked up four faults to deny him victory. He finished with the fastest four fault score of the second round to take home €90,000 and the result comes only three weeks after he took victory in the Miami Beach leg of the series.

Belgium’s Gilles Thomas secured his first ever LGCT Grand Prix win with Luna van het Dennehof, while the only other double clear came from Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander with Fellow Castlefield – a horse produced in Ireland by Susan Fitzpatrick. The Anne Hughes-bred gelding HHS Seattle (ISH) finished in sixth place with American rider Spenser Smith.

Sunday’s LGCT Grand Prix marked 10 years since the tour first launched in Shanghai and a decade that the Tour has brought top-level international show jumping to China and in the process, the popularity of equestrianism has soared. Spectators have been treated to a feast of world-class action and entertainment across the three-day show.

After the fourth stage of the season, Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar will lead the LGCT Championship going into his home event of Madrid in two weeks time on 97 points. Austria’s Max Kuhner stays in second place on 92 points, while the fastest in four faults in today’s first round meant Julien Anquetin (FRA) climbs to third on 81 points. Michael Duffy sits in fourth with 77.14 points and Andreas Schou (DEN) keeps in the race with 68 points.

The LGCT Championship now heads to the European stages kicking off in Madrid for the fifth leg of the Championship race in just two weeks time.

BREEDING
HHS Seattle (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of HHS Chantilly Lace (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Anne Hughes, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Ashland Farms. Rider: Spencer Smith (USA).