The Derry rider and For Gold won the RBC Capital Markets Cup 1.50m class at the  ‘National’ CSI5* event.

In a five horse jump-off, there were three Irish combinations and two from Mexico.

The Irish trio took the three spots on the winners’ podium, with Coyle, who was last to compete in the jump-off taking the highest podium step.

The 14-year-old For Gold gave it his all and stopped the timers with a clear round in 35.85 seconds to seal another victory for Ireland.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista, who were third in the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m on Thursday night, were runners-up in this class, with a clear in a time of 36.78 seconds.

Darragh Kenny, a winner aboard Eddy Blue in the Recon Metal 1.55m in the International Ring on Thursday, combined with Diaroubet on this occasion to take third place in 37.56 seconds.

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Aboard the chestnut mare, One Edition, the Irish combination clocked the fastest clear round in the jump-off with a time of 34.38 seconds.

Swail also tied for third in the competition aboard Clonterm Obolensky with fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny and Zero K – they both finished on the exact same time of 34.76 seconds in the jump-off round.

Eugenio Garza Perex of Mexico, riding Chalouries PS, took the second spot in the podium in 34.69 seconds.

Following his win, Conor Swail spoke of the experience his horses can gain while competing all summer at Spruce Meadows, stating.

“One of the interesting things about, you know, the summer season at Spruce Meadows is that you can bring young horses here and get some time with them in a number of different rings. That, that really can help their trajectory as young horses.”

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The Offaly native and Eddy Blue won the Recon Metal Cup 1.55m against a strong field of 40 other combinations.

The Irish combination posted the fastest clear round in the jump off with a time of 40.07 seconds.

David O’Brien and El Balou Old claimed the runner-up spot with a jump-off clear in 40.15 seconds.

Conor Swail and My Lady Lavista were third – clear in 40.23 seconds.

In a tightly-fought leaderboard, there was less than two-tenths of a second from first to third over the Olaf Petersen Jr. designed course.

“It was a great class,” Kenny stated. “Very fast jump off. I absolutely love jumping in this ring. The footing is incredible. You know, it’s always been a lucky ring for me, actually, I’ve always had good success in it.”

The winning Irish rider continued:

“And, my horse was brilliant. He’s in super form at the moment. He had a really uncharacteristic result in the Grand Prix last week, but, he bounced back and jumps super today, and I expect a good result on Saturday.””

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Riding the nine-year-old stallion Clonterm Obolensky, the winning combination stopped the timers in 42.48 seconds – the fastest time of the class.

Overall it was a very good competition for Irish combinations as they took four of the first six places in the class.

Darragh Kenny and Mendoze VDL took second place.

Jordan Coyle and Jorisca were fourth, while Swail also finished in sixth position, riding One Edition. This combination had won the Township Planning + Design Cup Trophy last Saturday.

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World Number 15 ranked Swail and One Edition won the 5* class, after posting a clear round in 41.73 seconds in the 14-horse jump-off.

The time was less than one tenth of a second faster than Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Lightning. Kenny rounded out the podium aboard his mount Diaroubet.

Jordan Coyle and Jorsica were 10th, ensuring four Irish combinations finished in the top-10.

Darragh Kenny had to settle for the runner-up position again in The French Family Cup.

Riding Mendoza VDL, the Irishman was beaten by Grace DeFoe of the United States, who posted a winning clear in 42.40 seconds in the 11-horse jump off.

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The Irish rider first took The Partners 1.50m competition on the All Canada Ring. Later in the day, Coyle followed up with success in The Mustangs 1.55m.

Irish podium in The Partners 1.50

The Partners 1.50 class saw an Irish podium clean sweep with Daniel Coyle leading home Darragh Kenny and David O’Brien.

In the seven horse jump-off, Legacy set a quick 40.28 seconds target for the other combinations.

Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Eddie Blue were closest in 41.10 seconds, with David O’Brien and El Balou Old also giving it a good effort with 41.38 seconds, but both ultimately ended slightly short of their fellow countryman.

Coyle doubles up in The Mustangs

In The Mustangs 1.55m, riding the grey gelding Incredible in the sixteen entry class, Daniel Coyle and his partner delivered the fastest clear in the jump-off, breaking the beams in 38.66 seconds.

Coyle was full of praise for the venue, stating:

“I can’t say enough good things about Spruce Meadows. I’ve learned so much here. My horses have learned so much here, it’s an amazing job what they’re doing. They never stop making the place better. They put the new ring (footing) in last year. I think it’s even better this year. So I’m looking forward to the weekend and we’ve had a great start.”

Canada’s Kara Chad (Igor GPH) took the runner-up spot, ahead of Briton Matthew Sampson (Ebolensky) in third.

Jordan Coyle and For Gold were fourth, with Conor Swail and Casturano in tenth place.

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According to equiratings, Tipperary rider Denis Lynch has jumped five clears from six round in this class since 2012 and has most podium finishes with three during this time.

Sligo’s Richard Howley won the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes last year with Equine America Consulet de Prelet Z. His winning margin was 2.33 seconds.

Other Irish riders to have tasted success in this class since 2012 include in 2018 Shane Sweetnam with Indra van de Oude Heihoef; 2017 Bertram Allen with Izzy by Picobello; 2015 Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu and 2012 Alexander Butler aboard Will Wimble.

Equiratings rate the following as the top-three contenders for today’s Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes: Kevin Staut [FRA] with Beau de Laubry Z, Conor Swail [IRL] and Count Me In and Ben Maher [GBR] and Point Break

The French combination arrive in Dublin following a five-star Grand Prix success at Dinard, which earned a prize of €125,000. Their career best performance together was their last outing in July.

Conor Swail and Count Me In were the home heroes in the Nations Cup of Ireland two years ago. At 17 years of age, Count Me In is the joint-oldest horse in the field today. His last three rounds at today’s height of 160cm were all clear.

Briton Ben Maher and his original Olympic horse Point Break, have the second highest expected round one clear chance (56%), according to equiratings, behind Conor Swail and Count Me In (57%). The British combination have already jumped 10 five-star 160 clears from just 18 career attempts.

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The visitor denied two of Ireland’s Aga Khan Trophy-winning combinations from Friday, Conor Swail with Count Me In and Shane Sweetnam with the Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz as they filled second and third places respectively.

Ireland’s Andrew Bourns and the Irish Sport Horse Sea Topblue were fourth while French combination Megane Moissonnier and Cordial were fifth.

Ireland’s Rhys Williams and the 7-year-old Playboy JT Z took the International 7 & 8 year-old competition. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch with Dark Chocolate took the runner-up spot, while Jason Higgins and Heritage MBF came third.

Kildare’s Mikey Pender achieved yet another RDS win on Sunday when winning the six-year-old ‘Cruising’ National Championship with HHS Rose. Leah Stack and Laurina won the 5-Year-Old ‘Flexible’ National Championship.

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Swail and Count Me In jumped three clear rounds during the competition proper and the jump-off that following to give the home side a first victory in the competition since 2015.

“This is my first time (winning) also like Shane (Sweetnam). This is my third Aga Khan,” Swail explained. “It’s fantastic. As an Irish rider it’s something that is a lifetime goal – thankfully I have achieved that. The horse (Count Me In) has jumped like that all year – it was no surprise whatsoever – he is so fast.”

Ireland team manager Michael Blake quipped “it has not been a bad six days” referring to Friday’s victory and Ireland qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games earlier this week.

The Clare man explained that he was very confident coming into today’s Longines Nations Cup of Ireland:

“Coming here I thought we had a very very good chance – I felt it was ours to lose. We started off really really well and then had a few uncharacteristic mistakes. There was a little pressure on us. Conor (Swail) was just amazing. He asked me could he be on the Aga Khan team earlier in the year.”

Kanturk, Co Cork-native Shane Sweetnam who jumped clear with The Irish Sport Horse James Kann Cruz in the first round, said:

“He jumped special in the first round, especially when it was raining – he knew he was home! Then in the second round, a little mistake – obviously I made it myself.”

For the US-based rider, it was also a first Aga Khan win:

“It’s great to win. This was my fourth Aga Khan and it has always been a dream to win The Aga Khan, so I’m thrilled, thrilled with the horse and thrilled with my team members.”

It was certainly a dream come true for eighteen-year-old Tipperary rider Max Wachman, winning his first Aga Khan Trophy in his first outing in the Longines Nations Cup of Ireland.

“It’s a dream come true,” Wachman said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was about ten years old. To be on a team with such brilliant riders is amazing. I’m just thrilled. He (Berlux Z) is eleven years old, he’s a very experienced horse and he’s a good horse and he jumped good today.”

The presentation – @PresidentIrl presents the Aga Khan trophy to Ireland's Chef d'Equipe Michael Blake at the @DublinHorseShow #rtesport pic.twitter.com/EbcNhaNqcg

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 19, 2022

Meath’s Cian O’Connor, Ireland’s anchor leg rider yet again, spoke highly during the winners’ press conference about his Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny.

“I was thrilled with him. I couldn’t be happier. It’s like when the bell goes and you head down to the first fence on a big rhythm and it just feels like he owns the ring. All I have to do is not get in his way and not make a mistake. It was really just good fun riding him around there.”

Winning The Aga Khan Perpetual Trophy is always special for all Irish riders. Team manager Michael Blake best summed up what winning the home Nations Cup means in front of the RDS crowd:

“The crowd so understand the sport and it means so much to them, and it means so much to us. We win plenty Nations Cup but this is an extra stratosphere.”

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The Michael Blake-managed team produced six clear rounds, including three from Conor Swail and Count Me In to lift the famous equestrian cup for the first time since 2015.

In the seven-nation event, Ireland had been drawn sixth to jump, with Swail and Count Me In operating as pathfinders for the side.

In an exciting opening round, Blake’s side produced three clear rounds, from Swail (Count Me In), Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz) and Cian O’Connor (Kilkenny).

The other member of the team, eighteen-year-old Max Wachman riding Berlux Z, had just one fence down in the first round.

Ireland ended the opening round on a zero score, followed by France and Switzerland on four faults each respectively.

Marc Dilasser (Aristo Du Gevres) and Edward Levy (Uno De Cerisy) produced clear rounds for Henk Nooren’s side, while Steve Guerdat (Dynamix De Belheme) and Martin Fuchs (Cardano CH) did likewise for the Swiss.

Netherlands and Belgium were next after round one, each on 12 faults, while USA and Norway (who were competing in The Aga Khan Trophy for the first time) each recorded scores of 20 opening round faults.

Second Round

France began round 2 with three clear rounds and with two of the first three Swiss riders both faulting at the water, France would finish on a worst-possible score of 4 faults.

Count Me In and Conor Swail went clear in round two while Max Wachman had the final part of the treble down.

Just as Cork rider Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz looked to be heading for a double clear round, a pole fell at the last, meaning Ireland would need their anchor leg combination of Cian O’Connor and Kilkenny to go clear in order to force a jump-off with the French.

The Irish combination duly obliged in order to force a jump-off over a shorter course.

Massive clear round from Cian O'Connor to send Ireland to a jump-off against France for the Aga Khan trophy at the @DublinHorseShow
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/pWMtHbNq2y

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 19, 2022

Both Ireland and France opted for their original pathfinders, Conor Swail and Marc Dilasser, to contest the jump-off, as both had produced double-clear rounds during the competition.

With Dilasser and Aristo Du Gevres going clear in a time of 31.81 seconds, the pressure was now on the Irish combination, not alone to go clear, but to do so in a faster time.

Conor Swail and Count Me In beat the French time in the jump-off to deliver the Aga Khan Trophy to Ireland @RDS @DublinHorseShow
https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 pic.twitter.com/xYuiDgHPtk

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 19, 2022

Swail and Count Me In produced their third clear round of the competition, just as the French combination had moments earlier, but the Irish representatives went clear in a faster time of 30.31 seconds, winning the Longines Nations Cup of Ireland for The Aga Khan Perpetual Trophy for the home nation.

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