Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte have won the €1million Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, edging out Ireland’s Jordan Coyle in a thrilling finish to the 2026 Gallagher Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Ballsbridge.
In a case of precision Swiss timing, Guerdat posted what proved an unbeatable clear in 37.81 seconds in a nine-horse jump-off to take the massive winners prize.
Coyle completed a phenomenal week for with a runner-up finish aboard Chaccolino (39.27) while third place on the podium went to Dutch rider Arne Van Heel and Keaton HV.
The only other double clear came from Irish Army rider Lt. Michaeli Byrne and the Niall and John Mullins-bred MSH Claregalway with a brilliant performance to take fourth place, while Michael Pender and Madgeslane Louis also made it into the jump-off for Ireland and went on to finish seventh with four faults against the clock.
Irish riders earlier filled the top four places in Sunday morning’s Speed Championship, with Tipperary’s Tom Wachman scoring his second win of the week.
Wachman guided Obora’s Laura to the fastest clear in 65.81 seconds to deny Coyle who had to settle for runner-up spot on this occasion with King Kannan GP. Third place went to Michael Pender and Mercedes Benz HHS Cyprus (ISH), while Cork’s Billy Twomey finished fourth with Corrindubh Brother In Arms (ISH).
Tyrone’s Niamh McEvoy and the Mairead Lacey-bred Rosconnell Tango proved unbeatable in the 7&8-year-old international final. They finished just under a second ahead of Kian Dore Tyfoon Vd Donkhoeve, while third place went to Francis Derwin with Nolle.
The six-year-old Cruising National Championship for 2026 was won by Kilkenny’s Molly Hughes Bravo and the Donal Cadden-bred Kilbrackan Stakatto, while the five-year-old Flexible National Championship saw Kilkenny’s Timmy Brennan take the spoils aboard GCS Ruby.