Ben Maher claims the Champagne-Taittinger Ivy Stakes from the front with Ginger-Blue at the London International Horse Show
Friday 15 December 2023
Ben Maher used his opening draw to set a sizzling target on Ginger-Blue that could not be matched to take the Champagne-Taittinger Ivy Stakes at London International Horse Show at the ExCeL Arena.
“She’s very experienced now and in great form – she won two Grands Prix back-to-back in October and she felt great. She has had a mini break of six to seven weeks – we’re taking care of her and keeping her at peak performance – this was her first class back,” said Ben.
Sixteen of the original 34 starters posted initial clears over Brazilian course-designer Guilherme Jorge’s 12-fence 5* 1.50m track, although two withdrew at this point to leave 14 to battle it out against the clock. It promised to be a hot jump-off but Ben produced the winning round from the front, leaving his rivals to chase the clock in vain.
“The plan was to go as fast as I could and she’s a very fast horse naturally – she moves her legs very quick – so I stick to my plan more with her and don’t get too carried away and make mistakes. I didn’t worry too much about the other 13 riders and I got a good turnback to the last and the jumps came up in the right place for me, we know each other so well,” added Ben, on Jane Forbes Clark’s Plot Blue x Royal Bravour 12-year-old.
Austria’s Max Kuhner came the closest 0.29 seconds in arrears on EIC Cooley Jump The Q.
Ben didn’t concern himself too much watching the others chase him.
“Some were very fast riders but I have my family here to distract me and it was a great start to the week. I’m very lucky, I’ve done everything from buying tickets for seats when I was young to riding ponies to winning the World Cup here over the years – it’s a very special place that holds a lot of memories for me.”
Show ambassador Jodie Hall-McAteer was the next best Brit in fourth on her HOYS Grand Prix winner Hardessa 1.72 seconds in arrears.
Image: Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue Credit: Peter Nixon
