Aga Khan bonus is O’Connor target

Katie Taylor had her Bray bash, John Joe Nevin was feted in Mullingar, while Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan got the red carpet treatment in Belfast.

For Cian O’Connor, there is the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show.

The 32-year-old has always made the annual RDS event his spiritual home, but this time the temple of all things equestrian is taking on a special significance, a certain bronze medal adding to the occasion.

“Dublin Horse Show has always been a highlight of my year and special for me, but to go there with a bronze medal is a double bonus. Winning the medal involved a lot of hard work on the part of many people and I am proud of what I have achieved with their help,” said the Dubliner, in between competing at the €940,000 showcase and attending a civic reception at the Mansion House.

O’Connor and Co will tomorrow bid to lift the Aga Khan Trophy for Ireland for the first time in eight years, having been pipped last year in a jump-off against the British.

The competition constitutes the last leg of the FEI Nations Cup Top League, with Ireland lying one from the bottom and facing the possibility of dropping to the Promotional League next year, though major changes to the format have been mooted on the back of a possible five-year Saudi Arabian sponsorship deal.

However, just 3.5 points separate the bottom six teams and O’Connor is upbeat.

“The Aga Khan is always important to us, but even more so this year, as we need to avoid possible relegation, but with the home support and the lads on form, I really feel we have a good chance.

“Blue Loyd jumped out of his skin in the 1.45m class this morning and [manager] Robert Splaine said he is performing as well as he has ever seen him,” said O’Connor, who is expected to be on the team of four selected by Splaine today from the squad that also features O’Connor’s fellow Olympian Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco), along with Darragh Kerins (Lisona), Clem McMahon (Pacino) and Richie Moloney (Ahorn Van De Zuuthoeve).

While the foreign contingent includes Olympic individual gold medallist Steve Guerdat and team gold medallist Nick Skelton, the latter had to settle for fourth in yesterday’s opener, the Fáilte Stakes, which was dominated by Irish riders. In the vanguard was Marion Hughes (Heritage HHS Fortunas), followed by Conor Swail (Martha Louise) and Waterford’s Premier League leader Tholm Keane (Warrenstown You 2).

The Speed Stakes went the way of Britain’s William Funnell on Dorado, the former ride of Tipperary’s Shane Breen, who slotted into third on Ominerale Courcelle, with France’s Roger Yves Bost (Castleforbes Vivaldo van het Costersveld) the runner-up.

Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) and Capt David O’Brien (Annestown) were the flag carriers in the feature €23,000 Irish Sports Council Classic, but had to settle for second and third respectively, with Switzerland’s Arthur Gustavo Da Silva claiming top prize.