Double victory for Kenny as new horse makes show debut
Darragh Kenny delivered on the double in his first week of competitive action with Pearl Gem VDM at Old Salem Farm’s two-star show in New York State, culminating in a Grand Prix triumph late on Sunday night Irish time.
Kenny looked through the ears of Pearl Gem VDM for the first time in competitive action last week and it turned out to be a fitting tribute to his long-time ally Stephen Moore, who it was announced shortly after the duo’s Grand Prix success, would be ending a 12-year association with Oakland Stables to develop his own business.
Kenny praised the Galwegian’s role in developing Pearl Gem VDM in the immediate aftermath of their two victories in North Salem.
They got off the mark in Friday’s $32,000 Old Salem Farm Welcome Stake. After 13 of the 47 contestants rode clear to advance to the jump-off, it was the Offaly Olympian and his new partner that sliced their way around the shortened track to post the winning time of 31.99 seconds.
“Stephen Moore produced this horse all summer for me,” Kenny said. “He did an excellent job. He did a few three-star grands prix on him and placed in a few two-star grands prix. The horse has been going great all summer, so I decided to bring him here to start. He did the 1.40m yesterday and this class today, and he jumped super. He’s an incredibly competitive horse and very naturally fast, and it’s nice to have something that can go that quick.
“I didn’t really know how he was going to react in the jump-off. He felt really, really good in the first round. (Fences 1 to 2) he was very good; 2 to 3 I didn’t ride great, but he covered it up pretty well for me. The rest of the course felt really smooth and, of course, very fast. I’m quite happy with him.”
They returned to the International Arena on Sunday for the $40,000 feature and emerged with the lion’s share of the pot. A technical 16-jump track was navigated successfully by 11 combinations but once more, the natural pace of Pearl Gem VDM proved too powerful a weapon, with the runner-up Uma O’Neill (NZL), clocking 40.23 with Miro NS, compared to the winners’ second clear in 38.94.
“We’ve had this horse in the stable for about two years now, but this is my first week showing him,” Kenny reiterated. “I was just trying to get to know him. Friday, of course, helped with that. In the jump-off today, I could really test how fast we could really go. He felt great. He doesn’t like much pressure at all. He has a lot of blood, and you kind of have to sit there and just hold on.
“Today’s course was a very good course. Obviously, the rain coming in had a bit of an effect, but I knew the footing would hold and the jump-off would be quick enough. He’s a very fast horse and very, very careful. He’s very fun to ride. He’ll probably try Silo Ridge and Tryon for Major League (MLSJ) and try some of those team classes. He seems like he’ll be a perfect horse for that, so that’s what we’ll aim for next.”
Daniel Kerins registered a podium finish in between Kenny’s successes, guiding Malou Blue PS (Gotham Enterprizes) to third in the 1.45m speed class.
Niall Talbot finished third in the three-star Grand Prix at La Caccia Stables in Bedizzole just edging out Cian O’Connor for the last berth on the podium.
Three Irish riders qualified for the jump-off with clear rounds but Tom Wachman and Genghis Khan (Coolmore Showjumping) had a fence down to drop them to ninth.
O’Connor was fourth, going clear on Zenith VD Donkhoeve Z (WOW Trading) in a time of 42.59 but Talbot and Charming Z (Talbot Sport Horses) were a little bit slicker, navigating the track in 41.77 to secure the bronze.