Cian O'Connor wins in Belgium with Darragh Kenny runner-up in Monaco

Irish riders were in superb form across Europe on Saturday evening with Cian O'Connor and Darragh Kenny both recording significant results.

Meath-based O'Connor beat off a 57-strong field to claim victory in the three-star 1m55 Grand Prix at Knokke in Belgium.

Riding the nine-year-old stallion Taj Mahal, who is owned by Sue Magnier, O’Connor was among eight riders who made it into the second round jump-off.

Only two combinations would jump double clear, with the Irishman finishing over two seconds faster than Germany’s Kendra Claricia Brinkop who took runner-up spot with Nector Vd Bisschop.

"I was not expecting a win today," said O’Connor. "Taj Mahal is still only nine years old. It is his first three-star Grand Prix and it’s under lights. I am so happy his previous rider Dieter Vermeiren got to see him win here. He made the horse and I was able to take him to the next level – great teamwork."

Offaly’s Kenny meanwhile claimed a runner-up finish in the five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco, coming tantalisingly close to repeating the win he scored at the same venue in 2021.

Riding the 13-year-old stallion Volnay du Boisdeville, Kenny was one of just two riders to jump clear in the first round and was just pipped for victory by Austria’s Max Kühner who finished less than half a second faster than the Irishman in the jump-off with EIC Coriolis des Isles.

**FLASH** Offaly's Darragh Kenny and Volnay du Boisdeville have scored a runner-up finish in tonight's 5* Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco. One of just 2 riders to jump clear in the first round, Kenny was just pipped for victory by Austria's Max Kühner pic.twitter.com/XKamcWP7CU

The podium was shared by the same three riders from 12 months