Allen storms to victory in Hong Kong

Bertram Allen guided Christy Jnr to victory in Saturday’s Longines Speed Challenge. It was Allen’s second time winning this competition after he also came out on top in 2016 with Quiet Easy. His time of 60.47 seconds with Christy Jnr saw him finish well ahead of French pair Patrice Delaveau with Vestale de Mazure (62.88), and Kevin Staut with Ayade de Septon (62.94).

“I like to smile when I ride well,” said Allen. “I’m delighted and my horse ran superbly. The people here in Hong Kong really love it. They really enjoy their time and watching the horses. I love it.” Bertram Allen also came out on top in Saturday evening’s Six Bar competition in Hong Kong with Izzy By Picobello.

Meanwhile in America Brian Cornane and his mount Penelope Cruz were victorious in the CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic CSI3*. “In the jump-off round, I tried to set a fast pace from the start, because really you were galloping jump to jump, and again, the course designer used the full field, which was really nice,” said Cournane, “She’s a wonderful, generous mare. She’s quite a small mare. Looking at her in the stable, you think she’s a bit of a plain Jane, but when you get up and start jumping her, she’s a great horse. She’s only 16.1, but when you are on her, she grow’s! She feels a lot bigger.”

Jake Saywell and Havinia topped off a fantastic weekend on the Sunshine Tour by winning the first Grand Prix, with fellow RED MILLS rider Holly Smith and Claddagh Iroko finishing in 3rd position.

RED MILLS Riders were also prominent in the first 5* Nations Cup of the year. Team Israel finished in second position on the podium icluding RED MILLS rider Daniel Bluman and Ladriano, who was also 1 of 3 double clears in the competition.

Laura Kraut and Confu jumped a spectacular clear round to help Team USA secure Bronze.

It was also a successful first senior nations cup debut for Cormac Hanley as a member of the Irish team who finished in 4th position.