Irish-bred horses fill three of top five places at five-star Burghley

Cavalier Crystal (ISH), bred by Thomas Horgan (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

The five-star Defender Burghley Horse Trails have concluded in the UK, with three Irish-bred horses finishing inside the top five. Cavalier Crystal (ISH), bred by Thomas Horgan in Co Waterford and ridden by Harry Meade (GBR) secured a brilliant podium finish, taking third place on a score of 31.1 after a clear Cross Country round on Saturday was followed by another clear in Sunday’s final jumping phase.

Annaghmore Valoner (ISH) bred by Sinead Healion (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

Harry Meade also guided another Irish-bred horse to a fourth place finish, with Annaghmore Valoner (ISH) bred in Co Offaly by Sinead Healion completing on a score of 31.8.

Capels Hollow Drift (ISH)bred by Jeanette Glynn (Photo: Irish Eventing Times)

The Jeanette Glynn-bred Capels Hollow Drift (ISH) took fifth place with Tom Jackson (GBR) (34.2), while Paris Olympian’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue were best of the Irish riders in 14th place with a final score of 46.7.

A total of seven Irish-bred horses finished inside the top 20, including Copper Beach (ISH) (16th), A Class Cooley (ISH) (17th), Deerpairc Revelry (ISH) (18th) and Heartbreaker Star Quality (ISH) (19th). Britain’s Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo are the 2024 Defender Burghley champions, finishing on a final score of 23.6.

BREEDING
Cavalier Crystal (ISH) – 2010 mare by Jack of Diamonds (SWB) out of Cavalier Iris (ISH) by Cavalier Royal (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Horgan, Co Waterford. Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

Annaghmore Valoner [ISH] – 2012 mare by Coroner (TB) out of Annaghmore Lady Valier [ISH] by Black Walter [ISH]. Breeder: Sinead Healion (Offaly). Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)

Capels Hollow Drift (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Lucky Crest (ISH)[TIH] by Lucky Gift (TB). Breeder: Jeanette Glynn (Clare). Rider: Tom Jackson (GBR)

Copper Beach (ISH) – 2006 gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of Cloverballen (ISH). Breeder: Paddy Daly (Offaly) Rider: Cosby Green (USA)

A Class Cooley (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Heritage Fortunus (HANN) out of New Years Clover (ISH)[TIH] by Clover Echo (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Norman E Watt (Tyrone). Rider: Wills Oakden (GBR)

Deerpairc Revelry (ISH)[was DPS Revelry] – 2014 gelding by Hermes De Reve (SF) out of Celerina (AEAS) by Cento (HOLST). Breeder: Dara O’Malley (Galway). Rider: Max Warburton (GBR)

Heartbreaker Star Quality II (ISH) – 2011 mare by Boswell Mr Heart Breaker [ISH] out of Killard Quality (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Cora Horan (Galway). Rider: Libby Seed (GBR)