Jordan Coyle powers to third win at Dublin Horse Show as Ireland prepare for Aga Khan tilt
Jordan Coyle on King Kannan GP at the 2026 Dublin Horse Show, Laya Arena. Picture: INPHO/Henry Simpson
Jordan Coyle, the Derry-born, New York-based speed specialist, laid claim to his third win of the week by taking Thursday's Reynolds Logistics 1.45m Speed Derby on a sunny Ladies Day at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show.
Leading US team rider Karl Cook then showed the Europeans the way when he stopped the clock fastest of an 11-horse jump-off to claim the prestigious Cashel Palace Hotel 1.60m stakes.
Having already clocked two wins on opening day. Gathering up the silverware, Coyle showed no notion of slacking as he prepares for Friday's Elliott Contractors FEI Aga Khan Nations Cup.
However, the leading the Five-Star Cashel Palace Hotel event was a foretaste of what lies ahead for the Elliott Group Nations Cup and Sunday's Rolex Grand Prix as the 1.60m horses showed their paces in an attempt to qualify for the grand €1 million finale Rolex bonanza.
Californian rider Karl Cook (35) and Foxy de La Roque, an 11-year-old bay mare with scope to burn, soared around the arena to win in style with a winning clear in 37.11. Cook, who was a US Olympic team silver medallist in Paris has been making waves this year. He heads up the US challenge on Friday with a strong team for the Aga Khan trophy including Laura Kraut, last year's Dublin Horse Show Rolex Grand Prix winner.
French ace, Kevin Staut looked very much at home in the Laya arena as he rallied the 12-year-old bay mare Ever de Turan, owned by Emilien Pinket to second place in 38.43 while former Ireland team manager Rodrigo Pessoa (Brazil) powered his old faithful Major Tom owned by Artemis Equestrian to a very close third place in 38.72.
Ireland's talented younger riders Michael Pender (Kilkenny) with Mercedes Benz HHs Cyprus and Max Wachman with Kannen J.A. Z made it into the jump off and still in the money at seventh and 11th place. Michael Pender said: "I intend to take Cyprus in the Rolex Grand Prix if I qualify, the arena is jumping very well and my horses are in good form."
For Friday, Jessica Kurten, Ireland's team manager, has selected Daniel Coyle, Jordan Coyle, Shane Sweetnam, world FEI-ranked number three, and Olympian Cian O'Connor as her team to challenge the world.
Kurten, who has been on two winning Aga Khan teams and won one Dublin Grand Prix, is drawn first to go with Ireland. Derry rider Daniel Coyle, based in Ontario with Lothlorien Farms and brother of Jordan, is under pressure now as the opening rider of the Elliott Group 250,000 arena.
She said: "It's so wonderful to be home with such a fantastic team of riders and individual riders. This competition for any rider, as Robert Ridland said of the US team, is the ultimate.
"It's great we have a fantastic group of talented riders."
Jordan Coyles' win in the Speed Derby, which included banks and ditches and a gallop through water, proved too spooky for some horses not used to a rustics and a Derby track.
The Laya Arena was well spaced out for galloping and Derby fences, with French rider Robin Lesqueren's Galax du Rouet rocketing as his feet hit the water, exploding in the air, plummeting the rider, who promptly landed back on the horse and miraculously finished the course to finish seventh overall.
Both Billy Twomey and Trevor Breen kept Ireland to the fore with excellent rounds to finish fourth and fifth overall after previous leaders Anthony Bourquard (Sui) with Flanagan Semilly and Richard Vogel (Ger) partnering Chamber 3 were ousted to third and second following a foot-perfect speedy clear in 83.46 by Coyle and Elan Farm's double winner King Kannan. Vogel, who looked like the actual winner on 84.03 was defeated by a fraction of a second.
Special talent Kian Dore, who won an international class at Belfast in May was untouchable with Tyrfood Vd Donkhoeve in the opening International Seven- and Eight-Year-Old qualifiers in the EOIS IT Solutions arena at Simmonscourt from 47 starters. Once again, Jordan Coyle had another pay cheque to take runner-up with Bally v Blake ahead of Coen Williams with Parc Violeta.
Cian O'Connor has competed coast to coast in North America including shows in Mexico and Europe, but always returns to his favourite International in Ballsbridge. He's buzzing for his 20th Nations Cup appearance and knows there will be a strong challenge from seven other countries.
The running order is Ireland 1; Great Britain 2; Switzerland 3; Germany 4; Netherlands 5; USA 6; Belgium 7; France 8.
This is the centenary year of the prestigious Aga Khan Nations Cup competition for the highly coveted golden trophy event that first began in 1926.
So far, Cian O'Connor has competed in 20 Aga Khans. "We had a good opening day with our Karlswood riders Frano Derwin and Tom Wachman first and second on opening day. The two lads went so well and this was a nice start to the week.
"Being the 100th anniversary of the Aga Khan trophy makes it extra special this year as well as Rolex sponsoring the first €1million Grand Prix held in Ireland.
Friday is a special day for all Ireland's Nations Cup riders who have been invited for a special presentation in the Laya Arena before the competition. All the previous riders including Eddie Macken and George Stewart from the golden oldies will be guests.
