Irishman Denis Lynch and stable newcomer Chablis have formed an instant and very mutual attraction and they charged away with the $400,000 Longines Grand Prix of Hong Kong CSI 5* on Sunday, bringing to a close a weekend of supreme excitement to conclude the Asian leg of the Longines Masters Series.

“I never see myself as a favourite,” said Lynch after the win. “But I didn’t feel the pressure. Pressure is for tyres. This is a new horse for our stable so I am over the moon. I’m just very, very proud of this horse.” Lynch and Chablis, a 12-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood gelding (Couleur Rubin x Hamlet) were timed at a sizzling 39.35 in the final round of the day and of the weekend.

Simon Delestre (FRA) & Uccello de Will

The winners were way out in front of second-placed Simon Delestre (FRA) and Uccello de Will (47.07) – the only other pair to have two clear rounds.

Pius Schwizer (SUI) and About A Dream were 38.56 came in third after registering the fastest among the four-faulters. “The course designer today did an amazing job” said Lynch. “It was exciting for us and for the fans and they really get behind you here in Hong Kong. What EEM are doing here is growing every year. The crowd just go with you [over the jumps] and that’s very nice.”

It was a stunning way to end the seventh edition of the Longines Masters of Hong Kong as Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, presented the Longines Grand Prix trophy to Denis Lynch, thrilled to celebrate Hong Kong as the unrivalled equestrian capital of Asia.

Guests also thrilled all day to the attractions – and temptations – inside the Prestige Village, situated outside the main arena, while in between the main events there was a dressage performance from Hong Kong’s Asian Games gold medallist Jacqueline Siu and thrilling shows from Frédéric Pignon and Magali Delgado and their Iberian horses – presented by MGM Cotai – to help bring the curtain down on a fabulous weekend.

Podium: 3 – Simon Delestre (FRA), 1 – Denis Lynch (IRL) and Pius Schwizer (SUI) with Fernanda Trilha Ameeuw, Carrie Lam – Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Christophe Ameeuw – CEO of EEM & Asia Horse Week

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release (edited) by Solenn Rispail / Agence R&B Presse for EEM / Longines Masters

Photos: © Longines Masters / EEM / Jessica Rodrigues