Tom Wachman secured the biggest win of his career when he took the spoils in the CSI5* Turkish Airlines Grand Prix with the 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding Do It Easy.
Aboard Do It Easy, Tom Wachman (IRL) became the youngest rider ever to win the CSI5* Turkish Airlines Grand Prix. (LIHS/Rose Lewis)
The 20-year-old Irishman stopped the jump-off clock nearly a second ahead of Canada’s Kara Chad riding Igor GPH, to become the youngest rider to win the class.
“It’s amazing. Obviously there are a lot of good riders here. He jumped brilliantly today and was in great form. He was good on Friday as well so I had a bit of confidence going in. He was very good in the first round and then we had our plan for the jump off and we were able to get it done,” said Tom.
“It means a lot to win this, obviously it’s a very big thing to win. I’m very lucky I ride a great stream of horses. It’s mainly down to the horses and there’s other people here as well. I’m sitting up on top but there’s so much work that goes into it behind the scenes.”
Tom is the grandson of John Magnier, who owns Coolmore Stud – one of the largest Thoroughbred breeding operations in the world.
“It’s very special to finish on the podium and in second with my incredible horse Igor GPH here at London,” said Kara Chad, who has been riding the 12-year-old KWPN gelding for three years.
“I’m lucky to know my horse very well. I stuck to my plan in the jump-off and he executed it really well. I maybe could have been a little bit faster in two places where Tom caught me.”
Max Kühner, who won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Agria yesterday, finished third with new ride Greece 5 and John Whitaker on Equine America Unick du Francport was presented with the Walwyn trophy as highest placed British rider, finishing in fourth.
Staut Superb In Santa Stakes
Kevin Staut made it two wins in as many days when he came out on top in the highly competitive CSI5* Santa Speed Stakes aboard Kannonqulan.
The Frenchman produced a masterful quick clear from the nine-year-old Swedish warmblood – who is a relatively new ride – to snatch victory from Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf riding Cancun Torel Z.
“We bought her at the beginning of the season and I have to say that she’s really performing – this is maybe the fourth class she’s winning. She has a big heart, she’s trying everything and she’s really, really quick,” said Kevin, who bought the mare from her breeders, Lena and Julia Johansson.
“When I saw the round from Victor, who is in such good shape this week, I thought, “Okay. It will be difficult”. I was not especially riding to beat him, but I knew that my mare was fast and I thought that I will make a good round, try to turn short and then see where we are ending and we ended well. I’m really pleased.”
Jessica Mendoza and I-Cap CL Z couldn’t quite replicate the kind of form which saw them win the CSI5* Brilliance Auction Snowball Stakes earlier this week but were still best of the Brits in third.
Results here.
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