Runner-up finish for Cian O’Connor in Rolex Grand Prix of Rome – Kilkenny’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy fourth

Irish horses and riders have enjoyed huge success in today’s (Sunday) world famous five-star Rolex Grand Prix of Rome in Italy, with Meath’s Cian O’Connor and Iron Man taking runner-up spot, while Kilkenny’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy and ESI Rocky (ISH) claimed a fourth place finish.

World No.10 O’Connor and the 12-year-old gelding Iron Man narrowly missed out on becoming the sixth Irish winners in the 92-year history of the Rome Grand Prix, after they finished just over a tenth of a second behind Brazilian winner Yuri Mansur with Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm.

O’Connor stopped the clock clear in 35.76 seconds to take the lead in the 12-horse jump-off, before being overtaken by Brazil’s Mansur who crossed the line clear in 35.65 to take the top prize of €125,000, with O’Connor collecting €100,000 for his runner-up finish.

“Iron Man is such a character — sensitive but with so much heart,” O’Connor commented. “We’ve really built a partnership over the last few months. Today, he was right there with me from start to finish. I knew I had to be quick, and I pushed in the rollbacks. I’m proud of our round — especially in an arena like this, it’s always something special.”

Cian O’Connor and Iron Man

Seamus Hughes Kennedy recorded one of the biggest results of his career so far when taking fourth place with the Ennisnag Stud-bred ESI Rocky (ISH). The 23-year-old Kilkenny native also jumped double clear, stopping the clock in 36.78 to take home €50,000. Hughes Kennedy had earlier taken a share of victory in the Rome Six Bar competition on Saturday evening with MHS Cosmo (ISH).

Irish riders have in the past won the famous Rome Grand Prix on five occasions – Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights in 2022 and Lantinus in 2008. Eddie Macken and Boomerang lifted the trophy in 1978, after Billy Ringrose and Loch an Easpaig won it in 1961, while John Lewis and Limerick Lace were the first Irish winners of the Rome Grand Prix back in 1938.

BREEDING

ESI Rocky (ISH) 2015 gelding by Stakkato Gold (HANN) out of Clonaslea (BWP) by For Pleasure (HANN) Breeder: Ennisnag Stud owned by Clare Hughes ridden by Seamus Hughes-Kennedy

MHS Cosmo (ISH) 2016 grey gelding by Plot Blue (KWPN) out of MHS Jersey Girl (ISH) by Cardento (HOLST). Breeder Sinead Brennan. owner Clare Hughes. Rider Seamus Hughes Kennedy.