Galway’s Andrew Bourns and the Irish-bred Sea Topblue (ISH) finished best of the Irish in last night’s (Saturday) $1Million ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in Florida.
The top 12 combinations from the first round went forward to round 2, with Bourns and the 12-year-old gelding carrying forward four faults from their opening round. A perfect clear against the clock saw the Irish pair claim an impressive fifth place finish. Darragh Kenny was one place further back in sixth with Hamrah Van Het Exelhof. The winners prize went to Egypt’s Nayel Nassar and Coronado.
BREEDING
Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: QBS Equestrian & Andrew Bourns. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).