Ryan makes memorable return on Quite Zero

It’s been 12 years since Thomas Ryan last competed at Millstreet International Horse Show, but he made sure his return was memorable yesterday by winning the Hyatt Hotels Grand Prix.

The rider from Thurles, Co Tipperary, has based himself in Switzerland for the past nine years, and opted for the Cork fixture to benefit a student, but gained most reward himself when riding Quite Zero to victory in the €50,000 contest.

“I haven’t been to Millstreet since I was 17. I was coming for [the shows in] Hickstead and Dublin, but I have a student with me, Bruno Martins Costa, so I came to Cork to give him experience,” said Ryan.