Show Jumping - Babington Second In Dublin Grand Prix, USA Take Longines Trophy

Victory eluded Ireland's Kevin Babington in the Longines Grand Prix at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show this evening with the USA's Kent Farrington pipping him for the 66,000 euro first prize.

The 46 year-old Tipperary native was one of eight through to the jump-off from a starting field of 40, and although holding the lead briefly with the bay mare Shorapur, US rider Farrington and Uceko, one time winner of the King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead, came home with a comfortable two-and-a-half seconds in hand.

US-based Babington, once a regular member of Ireland's winning Nations' Cup teams, nevertheless went home 40,000 euro richer for his second place.

Co. Down's Conor Swail and the bay stallion Grand Cru V. Vijf Eiken claimed 30,000 euro for their third place today, just over half a second behind Babington, while Wexford's Bertram Allen and Romanov finished in seventh after incurring eight faults in the jump-off round.

Shane Breen and Golden Hawk were second-fastest of the first round's four faulters, and placed tenth.