Equestrian - Irish victories for Darragh Kenny and Daniel Coyle in Europe and the USA

Ireland’s excellent form at the five-star Nations Cup final show in Barcelona continued today, with a win for Darragh Kenny in the afternoon’s speed class.

Offaly-born Kenny and the 11-year-old mare Fixdesign Funke van’t Heike, finished with the fastest clear round of the 30 starters to collect a winners prize of just over €8,000. The Irish riders time of 74.06 seconds saw him finish over half a second ahead of British runner-up John Whitaker with Echo Of Light.

Kenny was part of Robert Splaine’s Irish team that produced an excellent performance on Thursday to book one of the eight places on offer in tomorrow (Saturday) night’s €1.5 Million Grand Prix final in Barcelona. He was joined by Tipperary trio Denis Lynch, Shane Breen and Greg Broderick who delivered a vital clear round when last to go with The Irish Sport Horse gelding MHS Going Global.

Darragh Kenny’s victory was the second Irish international win of the weekend so far, after Co Derry’s Daniel Coyle last night won the $25,000 Hollow Creek Farm Under 25 Grand Prix at Central Park Horse Show in New York with the 11-year-old mare Fortis Fortuna.