Irishman finishes third in world's longest horse race

Irishman Patrick Heffron has finished third at the world's longest and toughest horse race, the Mongol Derby.

The 1000km trek across across Mongolia takes place over eight days, with horses changed roughly every 35km at checkpoints strung out throughout the country.

Riders are in the saddle for up to 200km a day and ride about 28 different semi-wild horses through challenging terrain, from giant sand dunes to freezing mountain passes.

After the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 editions, the 12th Mongol Derby kicked off on the 23 July, with 46 riders, from ten different nations competing.

America's Diedre Jackson and South African Willemein Jooste crossed the finish line together to win the race, leaving Heffron and Britain's Chris Walker just behind in joint third.