Six years ago, Ariel Grange’s Farrel proved himself a winner at Thunderbird Show Park. He was just nine years old on that occasion. Now, at age 15, the Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cardento 933 x Stakkato) made an impressive comeback back to the winner’s circle again, topping the $31,100 tbird CSI4* Speed 1.45m on opening day of the Canadian Premier.

Olympian Daniel Coyle (IRL) has piloted the horse for the majority of its jumping career, and they seem to be hitting their stride in 2025. The pair came out late in the order of Wednesday’s class, challenging the 59.61 second time set by Kara Chad (CAN) and Corinna Z that seemed nearly impossible to beat.

Farrel proved that wrong. Racing around the Fort Grand Prix Arena, Coyle and Farrel clocked in just over a tenth of a second faster at 59.45, narrowly edging the longtime leader into second. Kyle King (USA) finished third with Odysseus in 60.10.

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