Ballyshan BF Super Hero completes Irish Breeders Classic Double
The €45,000 Irish Breeders Classic Final for 5 & 6-year-old horses saw 30 horse rider combinations battle it out at the weekend in the Irish Horse Board arena at Barnadown, Co Wexford, where for the second year in-a-row, the Gary Doherty-bred Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH) claimed victory.
Having won as a 5-year-old in 2023 with Ger O’Neill in the saddle, the gelding returned to win the prestigious title again this year ridden by Jason Foley. Nine combinations went through to the jump off, where Jason Foley and Ballyshan BF Super Hero (ISH) posted a winning clear in 36.82 seconds. Foley also claimed second place with the 5-year-old Castlefield Notouch in a time of 37.20, while Robyn Moran secured third spot aboard the Padraig Arthur bred Fortside Obsession
Speaking after his victory, a delighted Jason Foley said:
‘This has been an exceptional young horse for me and has remained consistent on the bigger days. This gelding was bred by Gary Doherty and is owned by Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly. I would like to thank the owner, and Ger O’Neill for the opportunity to ride this horse. Ger has celebrated multiple successes with this horse as a 5-year-old, and handed me the reins this year, so I’m very grateful . We have been selected to compete in Lanaken in two weeks time where Ger won Bronze last year, and we’ll be aiming to achieve this and more.”
Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick claimed victory in the 7/8 year old final with Roger De Mariposa in a time of 37.52, while Jason Higgins and MBF Be Blue were hot on her heels in a time of 38.58 to finish second. Seamus Hughes-Kennedy took third spot in a time of 39.17 riding Dure De Semily.
It was a clean sweep for Ballypatrick Stables in the Plus Vital 1.50m Grand Prix where Niamh McEvoy celebrated a stunning success filling all of the top three places. McEvoy took first place with Jargon DN, finishing second with Jasmin da Hermida and third spot on Pablo C.
Niamh McEvoy said:
‘This was a first for me to have multiple placings like this, Im totally delighted with the results in this Plus Vital Grand Prix. I need to say a massive thank you to the whole team in Ballypatrick for the opportunity to ride such a high calibre of horse. Also, a special thanks to Maurice Cousins and the background team in Barnadown for providing such an excellent venue and arena to compete in.’