18 Jun Hadley claims victory in the Mervue at Coilog
Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour – Coilog Round
1.35m Class
Coilog hosted an exciting round of the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour, attracting strong entries across all levels. In the 1.35m division, 39 combinations came forward, with 11 riders producing double clear rounds. It was Sven Hadley who claimed the top spot, stopping the clock at 28.65 seconds aboard the promising seven-year-old Maximum Numero Too HSH. Bred by Eamon McArdle, this gelding is by Aganix Du Seigneur and out of a Numero Uno mare, Couple of Diamonds. This pair had also secured a second-place finish in Barnadown earlier in the series.
Gemma Phelan returned to the ribbons, taking the runner-up position with Ardnore Canann in 29.05 seconds. Veteran rider Francis Connors delivered two top-five finishes: third place with Raymond McChesney’s RNH Valentiona (29.65) and fifth with the seven-year-old Newmarket Darsouilles, owned by Brian Daly, in 30.34. Slotting into fourth was Dylan Ward riding Aganix De La Mer, another seven-year-old by Aganix, in a time of 30.00 seconds. Rounding out the top six was Gemma Whelan and Greenacres Cicero, owned by Thomas Hyland, with a clear in 30.40.
1.20m Class
A competitive field of 38 combinations lined up for the 1.20m division, which also featured a Leinster Young Rider League component. The win went to young rider Millie McNaughton aboard David Miley’s Ship Shape, who delivered a smooth and speedy clear in 28.95 seconds in the two-phase format. Bred by James Dunne, this 11-year-old mare is by Lancelot and out of Clonbron Cavalier.
Hot on her heels was JP Meegan with Heather Steele’s six-year-old Ballynanny 4, second in 32.05. Leinster young rider Jessica Reid claimed third with Ballyorney Bubbles, clear in 32.52, just ahead of Tadhg Beecher and Loughnatousa Olaf, fourth in 32.89. Fifth went to Lauren Murphy (LYR) riding Cruiceraths Antonio, clear in 33.75, while sixth place was taken by Eva Melly and Wolf Vegas in 33.91.
1.10m Class
The 1.10m division, which also included a Leinster Young Rider League leg, saw the largest turnout with 59 starters. The class was dominated by Amateur riders, who occupied four of the top six spots. Taking a commanding win was Laura Walsh (AA) riding her consistent homebred Ballinaguilkey Heritage. The 12-year-old mare, by Heritage Fortunus out of a Ramiro B dam (Cavalier Milly), posted an unbeatable clear in 26.98 seconds.
Young rider Charlotte Butler followed closely in second with Kingston King, clear in 27.20. Third went to Amateur rider Marie Harley and Nikita Van Het Heidenhof, who finished in 28.63, while Gary Flynn (AA) and Argento Cruise slotted into fourth with a 28.98. Jim Donohoe and Cushlas Du Mondale clocked 29.95 to take fifth, narrowly ahead of John Tracy (A) and Blossom Mama Tina, also clear in 29.95.