Three from three for Ireland at the Dublin Horse Show

Irish riders made a strong start on the opening day of the 2022 Dublin Horse Show, winning all three of the international competitions on offer at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

The feature Sport Ireland Classic saw Limerick's Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu take the top prize.

A clear round in 66.54 seconds gave O’Shea over a second and a half to spare over French runner-up Marc Dilasser with Chamann, while third place went to another Frenchman, Julien Gonin with Valou Du Lys.

Sligo’s Richard Howley guided Fame to victory in the Minerva Stakes sponsored by Manton Grange Stables.

Howley finished just over a second ahead of Britain’s William Whitaker and Jalellah OL, while Egypt’s Nayel Nassar took third place with El Conde.

The opening International competition of the day saw Kildare’s Mikey Pender and The Irish Sport Horse HHS Fortune take victory in the Speed Stakes. Derry’s Jordan Coyle and Picador finished as runners-up, while third place went to Tipperary’s Denis Lynch and GC Chopin’s Bushi.

Among the National competitions on the opening day, the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored six-year-old qualifier in the main arena was won by Alexandre Dos Ramos Faustino (IRL) and HHS Cyprus (ISH) with the fastest of six double clear rounds.

Thursday’s action at the RDS will include the Speed Derby and the Anglesea Stakes, while all eyes will be on Irish team manager Michael Blake, who on Thursday evening is set to name his four horses and riders for Friday’s Aga Khan.