Cian O’Connor’s Birmingham success inspired by his late mother
Dedicating the win on Sunday night at the Horse of the Year Show to his mother Louise Mullen, the Olympic bronze medallist said afterwards: “I was going for a walk this morning, and I thought back to my last time here two years ago and I had to leave here after the second day, because I got the very sad news that my mum had passed away.
“My mum was always the type of person who would do anything for you and I just thought I am going to win that grand prix tonight and, if I do, I will dedicate it to my mum. There are certain shows that you want to go well at during the year and this is one of them.
“I am thrilled with this win. [My horse] Super Sox was outstanding and I am over the moon to get my hands on this prestigious trophy.”
O’Connor was one of seven riders from 32 starters to jump clear and progress to the jump-off. Producing another foot-perfect display with the 10-year-old gelding, he took the €16,000 first prize by just four hundredths of a second ahead of British legend John Whitaker riding Ornellaia
O’Connor’s mother, the daughter of rugby legend Karl Mullen, died suddenly in 2014, with the rider saying: “Losing a parent is always difficult, but when it comes out of the blue, it really knocks you.”
The Meath-based rider’s win on Sunday night also earned him the show’s leading rider title following a string of top placings at the annual equestrian showcase, held in the National Exhibition Centre.
His victory made it two in succession for Irish riders, with Cork’s Billy Twomey winning the top prize last year on Diaghilev.
Tipperary’s Shane Breen also made it into Sunday night’s grand prix jump-off and finished in sixth place with Market Irminka, having earlier won the Speed Horse Of The Year class on Acoustik Solo Du Baloubet, with Twomey slotting into second place on Joe Flynn’s 12-year-old grey stallion Ardcolum Duke.
