Ben Maher Takes Global Tour Final

Showjumping and other news from Japan, France and Germany

It was a busy weekend in showjumping with the Longines Global World Tour final in Prague. The final was won by Ben Maher of Great Britain riding Explosion W and collecting the 300,000 euro first prize. In a two round competition, Ben Maher and his 10 year old gelding were the only combination of the 18 starters to jump both rounds without fault. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was second with Balou du Reventon with one time fault in each of the two rounds. Third was Martin Fuchs from Switzerland riding Clooney 51 with a total of 4 faults, but he was the quickest round the course.

CSI Events in Rouen and Munich

There were two show jumping 4 star CSI in Europe over the weekend, one in Rouen in France and the second in Munich. In the German venue, there were 50 who started, 7 of which got clear rounds. The winner from Germany was Guido Klatte riding Asagan M with the second from Austria, Max Kuhner riding Cornet Kalua, and another German Kathrin Muller was third in a very close contest. In Rouen, there were 42 who started and the French riders took the top four places. There were only five double clear rounds with Max Thiuroin taking the top spot on Utopie Villelongre. Felicie Bertrand was second and Jacques Helmlinger in third.

Racing In Japan

In Japan, the famous Japan Cup was run over 1mile 4 furlongs (2400m). There were fifteen runners all from Japan. This was unusual as this was the first time this race had no runners from outside Japan. There were 2 ¼ between the first three home with Suave Richard ridden by Oisin Murphy winning by ¾ of a length. The winner was by Heart’s Cry out of an Unbridled Song mare and was trained by Yasushi Shono. The second was Curren Bouquetd’or and third was Wagnerian, both ridden and trained by Japanese nationals. After the race, jockey Oisin Murphy said, “I’m absolutely over the moon. It’s one of the biggest achievements of my short career. I’m thrilled. Suave Richard is a top-class horse and the trainer did a great job”. There was some concern that there were no runners from outside Japan as well as the attendance for the race being well down on previous years.

At Ascot Over the Jumps

Meanwhile over the sticks at Ascot, there was a shock defeat for the Nicky Henderson trained wonder horse Altior. He was beaten in the Christy 1965 Chase over 2 ½ miles by Cyrname in soft ground. It was the first time Altior had ever been beaten in a chase. On Sunday tough the news was good in that Altior had not suffered or been injured during the race as he trotted up well. Cyrname was trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden in the three runner contest.

The FEI Annual Congress in Russia

The FEI had its annual meeting in Moscow Russia last week and made their annual awards. The top award of best athlete went to Germany’s Event rider Ingrid Klimke. The best rising star award went to another German – dressage rider 20 year old Semmieke Rothenberger, already winner of 22 European Championship medals from ponies to young riders. The best groom went to Dutch Madeleine Broek from Holland for her work for Dutch showjumper Marc Houtzager. The FEI also announced that the World Equestrian Games in 2022 will be held in Herning in Denmark for dressage, vaulting and showjumping with the eventing and driving taking place in Patroni del Vivaro in Italy.

Thoroughbred Sales Continue in Europe.

Goffs, the Irish thoroughbred sales company opened its doors this week to its annual foal and breeding stock sale. The top priced foal was a colt by Dubawi who is a full brother to group winner this year Ghaiyyath. He was sold to Godolphin for 1.2 million euros. The sale generally, for foals posted increased returns over 2018 in all departments. 525 of the 645 foals offered changed addresses at an average price of 49,050 euros and a median price of 30,000 euros – up 7% on 2018. This week the mammoth foal and breeding sale starts at Tattersalls in Newmarket with well over 2000 lots to come under the hammer. The sale last the best part of two weeks.

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