The Irish-owned and bred mare Suma’s Zorro received a standing ovation from the packed stands of spectators under the shadows of the Eiffel Tower at the City of Light in Paris on Saturday night, after taking a superb victory in the €300,000 five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.
The 14-year-old chestnut mare Suma’s Zorro was bred in Kilkenny by Susan Lanigan-O’Keeffe and Marily Power and is owned by Joanne Sloan-Allen from Sycamore Stables in Co Antrim.
The Irish mare was drawn second last to go in the jump-off with Egyptian Sameh El Dahan, who has ridden Suma’s Zorro for the last seven years.
They were chasing a target which had been set by Wexford’s Bertram Allen and his grey mare Molly Malone. Allen had been first to go of 11 combinations against the clock and set a blistering time of clear in 36.86.
Their time put enormous pressure on those who followed and only El Dahan and Suma’s Zorro could go quicker while keeping the fences standing, after they crossed the line clear in 36.32.
El Dahan collected a winner's prize of almost €100,000, with Allen pocketing €60,000 while world No 1 Harrie Smolders (NED) filled third place on the podium with Don VHP Z.
Almost speechless after his win El Dahan said: "I can’t explain my emotions. My mare tried her heart out. I am loving the crowds, everyone was behind us. I am so chuffed it hasn’t really sunk in yet."
