Irish riders claimed two major victories across the Atlantic in the early hours of this morning (Sunday), with Limerick's Paul O'Shea coming out on top in the $225,000 Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix, while in New York, Offaly's Darragh Kenny played an key role in helping Europe to once again beat USA in the Riders Masters Cup.
The Kentucky Invitational three-star Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, was part of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and attracted a crowd of more than 10,000 spectators to watch what proved a thrilling competition.
O'Shea, riding Skara Glen's Machu Picchu, was one of three Irish riders who made it into the jump-off.
The Limerick rider was the last to go in the second round and hoping to better a blazing fast performance by Mexico's Eugenio Garza with Armani SI Z who jumped clear in 42.42.
Skara Glen's Machu Picchu left all the fences up, and galloped over the final fence to stop the clock in 41.91 giving the Irishman the win.
"I tried to go as fast as I could and leave all the jumps up," O'Shea said of his winning strategy.
"I didn't really (get to see the others) to be honest, so I tried to go as good as I could and 'Machu' was incredible. He couldn't have jumped any better, he was just fantastic."
Eugenio Garza of Mexico and Armani SI Z finished second and Rowan Willis of Australia and Blue Movie finished third.
Derry's Daniel Coyle finished in eighth place with Farrel, whille Down's Conor Swail filled tenth place with GK Coco Chanel.
For the fourth time in-a-row, the European team has beaten USA in the Riders Masters Cup - this time in New York, where Offaly's Darragh Kenny played a starring role by winning both of his matches.
Similar to Golf's Ryder Cup, the Riders Masters Cup sees top stars from Europe battle against USA's finest at alternating venues in Europe and the United States.
Europe, captained by Philippe Guerdat, had come out on top in the previous three competitions, including at the Longines Masters of Paris in December.
The Riders Masters Cup pits five-member teams from Europe and the United States in a head-to-head battle.
"I am proud of this group," said captain Guerdat of his Riders Europe team after the win.
