Darragh Kenny upbeat as Sans Soucis Z set for return to big time
The reason?
It is the first major test of Sans Soucis Z following a six-month injury-enforced layoff.
The 12-year-old chestnut Zangersheide gelding was among three of the Irish team to put up a single time fault on the way to victory in the nations cup at Spruce Meadows last June.
Injury followed — Kenny would not divulge its nature — so you would expect that a six-month sojourn would see the Offaly rider temper his expectations this weekend.
Not so, the translation of his mount’s name perfectly summing up his view: No worries.
“He’s a very talented horse and he feels very good and on form. I am really looking forward to this,” said Kenny directly after posting a one-fault score in a two-phase class with Sans Soucis.
“He jumped in a Thursday grand prix in Wellington two weeks ago and finished third, and then he jumped a 1.50mtr grand prix and also finished third.
“The Global Champions Tour will be his first 1.60mtr class since coming back, but my expectations are very high, actually. He is in good form. I always believed very much in the horse and I’m looking forward to a good performance. This level of competition is very much within his capability,” said Kenny, who recently bolstered his string with the purchase of Belle Rock, a 13-year-old Limmerick mare produced as a youngster by Clem McMahon, before being campaigned by Frenchman Edward Levy.
Kenny is accustomed to making the headlines for his exploits in the arena, but it was an incident in a Florida restaurant early last month that put him in the spotlight. An attack by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy resulted in Kenny’s father Michael rushing to his defence and suffering a broken nose when he was punched.
Unsurprisingly, Kenny says it’s history.
“No offence, but I’ve heard enough about that. I’ve dealt with enough press and I would prefer not to address it anymore. It’s in the past. I want to put it behind me.”
Instead, his immediate focus is on crossing the Atlantic to answer a possible call to arms for the Furusiyya Nations Cup Series. Much, however, will hinge on Kenny tomorrow demonstrating to Ireland manager Robert Splaine that Sans Soucis Z has the capability.
“I leave a week from today for Europe. I’m hoping Sans Soucis goes well... Robert has given me indication that if the horse shows good form this weekend he would be interested in using him in Lummen.”
As with his contemporaries, Kenny stresses the importance of this year’s European Championships.
“The championships is a massive goal and very important for the Irish team and for all the riders to qualify as a team for the Olympics. I’ve been saving my horses to be available,” said Kenny, who also pointed to Imothep.
“He had four faults in the million-dollar class in Ocala recently. He jumped extremely well and it put me in a good mood for what’s to come.”
Denis Lynch is also in Miami, buoyed by a hat-trick with Abbervail van het Dingeshof at the three-star show in Braunschweig, Germany, claiming a Volkswagen Toureg for his GP performance. He has brought Ho Go van de Padenborre and Querida 75. Richie Moloney (Alsvid and Carrabis Z) is also listed to jump and, while he is not on the list of riders in the GCT grand prix, Shane Sweetnam is competing at the event.
- Who would wager that Robert Fagan’s new concept, Bet Show Jumping Live, will prove a winner and achieve its aim of making show jumping “more exciting”.
The competition devised by the Mullingar Equestrian Centre owner was launched by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney last week, the idea being, according to a press release, that it will be “more exciting, easy to understand and inclusive for the general public”.
Coveney described the initiative as “a welcome addition to the show jumping calendar” that “will generate great excitement and sport throughout the season”.
“Our hope would be that with exciting new initiatives like Bet Show Jumping Live the sport will be opened up for greater audiences to enjoy,” said Mr Coveney, whose “Innovation Fund”, operated by Horse Sport Ireland, is backing the initiative.
So, will betting on show jumping take off? For a start, to allow punters to determine the form of horse/rider combinations, four qualifiers will feature replica courses, while a form sheet, similar to a race card, will be distributed to facilitate both on- and off-course betting prior to the final at Mullingar International Horse Show at the end of May.
The format of the final will see an open draw to form the four groups of eight riders. The winning horse and rider from each of the four groups will go forward to the final. The prizefund of €20,000 will be distributed between the four finalists, with the winner receiving €10,000.
Fagan said: “It is hoped that this new type of initiative will help increase attendances at horse shows, increase our appeal to new sponsors and increase prize funds for our owners, breeders, producers and riders. It is vital that we continue to strive to improve this sport and keep it in tune with today’s participant demands.”
The first qualifier takes place next Friday at Millstreet International Welcome Tour, followed by Louth County Show (April 25), Galway Equestrian Centre (May 3). Mullingar International Horse Show, stages a qualifier on May 30, with the final on the following day.
- Bertram Allen was this week listed as one of 41 riders from 19 countries who have so far confirmed their participation in the Longines FEI World Cup final in Las Vegas on April 15-19.
The definite entry deadline is Monday at midnight.
Allen amazed his peers — though less so his Irish fans, who are well aware of his talents — by placing second in the Western European League in what is his debut season. He scored 71 points, finishing just six adrift of Switzerland’s Olympic champion Steve Guerdat, who demoted Allen with victory in the last leg at Gothenburg, Sweden.
Allen claimed two wins, the opener, notably, coming in his first ever World Cup competition, at Verona, Italy, with the second in the French city of Bordeaux.
- The Millstreet Welcome Tour kicked off yesterday and, unsurprisingly, given the popularity of the venue and the high-class facilities, there are over 3,500 entries.
The tour runs until April 12, when it closes with the second of two one-day events at Drishane Castle, the other being on next Monday. Tuesday serves as a break at the venue.
This Sunday sees €1,500 on offer in a 1.35mtr feature class, while this day week, there is €2,000 up for grabs in a speed class that also serves as a Mullingar Betting Live qualifier. Saturday week rounds off the show jumping element of the tour with a grand prix, featuring a prizefund of €5,500.
- Great prizes and courses to suit all levels are promised at Templemartin Hunter Trials, which take place on April 12. JCT Equestrian, O’Brien’s Saddlery and Ballymaloe are supporting the event.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
