O’Connor wins it in cruise control

“I was only in second gear,” joked Cian O’Connor yesterday after he got Ireland off to a winning start at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, before Bertram Allen, made it two-in-a-row for the home side in the second international class.

Olympic bronze medallist O’Connor and Unique beat 75 rivals in the one-round Bewley’s Hotels Speed Stakes and, while accustomed to winning, doing so at Dublin is always special for the 33-year-old.

“The spectators, exhibitors and superb atmosphere is what makes it so special and to win the opening competition is brilliant,” said O’Connor.