No stranger to success in young rider arena’s, Ennis rider Rhys Williams made his mark in the senior arena this weekend as he rode to victory in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix at Barnadown on Saturday. Without a doubt Williams has an impressive record with wins at home and abroad and last year after a super performance in Dublin Horse Show he was awarded the RDS Bursary. From a starting field of 72 combinations, Williams delivered the winning round in the Cooley Farm sponsored class aboard Cowboy Balou of clear in 37.96. From the original starters, nine booked their place against the clock. Owned by Williams Sport Horses Ltd and bred by Anja Mohrahrend Zur Lage, Cowboy Balou is a 11-year-old gelding by Cornets Balou and is out of Stutbuch. In March of this year, the combination was in action in Arezzo CSI 3* and finished third in a 1.40m class. Traveling on to Gorla Minore CSIOY NC-Y, they took seventh place in a 1.45m. Clare rider Tara Glynn took the runner-up spot aboard her own Inschalla CZ when she also kept the poles in place in a time of 39.21. Inschalla CZ, is a ten-year-old Belgian bred gelding by Im Special de Muze and is out of the Darco sired dam, Tabella C. Little separated the next placing as Cathal Daniels and Cappog Tomy came home with nothing to add in a time of 39.28. The 12-year-old gelding was bred by Tommy Reilly and is by Camiro De Haar Z and out of Cornacassa Ferro. Rhys’ younger brother Coen was also in the ribbons, claiming fourth place with Conthanja PS when clear in 40.59. Owned by Williams Sport Horses Ltd, the ten-year-old is by Conthargos and is out of Grand Ronja. James Brennan and MHS Grand Slam, delivered the last of the double clears in a time of 41.43 for fifth place. Bred by the late Ita Brennan and owned by Sinead Brennan, the nine-year-old mare is by Quidam Junior and out of the Cavalier Royale sired dam, Gowran Lady Kevin Gallagher put in a very fast round with BP Limitless, clocking 40.51, but it came at a price with one on the floor for sixth place. This combination is no stranger to success in Barnadown having been crowned winners of the lucrative 2020 Irish Breeders Classic 5 & 6 year-old final. The now eight-year-old gelding, who was bred by Austin Broderick is owned by Max O’ Reilly Hyland and is by Elvis Ter Putte and is out of Ballypatrick Flight.