Netherlands triumphs in the Aga Khan Cup, with Ireland settling for third place in the Nations Cup.
In the thrilling conclusion of the 2025 Aga Khan Trophy Nations Cup at the RDS Dublin Horse Show, Ireland came agonisingly close to reclaiming the prestigious trophy but ultimately fell just short, finishing second behind the Netherlands and Germany.
The Irish team, led by Denis Lynch, put up a valiant display of equestrian skill but incurred faults that kept them from the top spot. Lynch, partnered with Vistogrand, delivered a brilliant round but picked up 4 faults at the water jump. Cian O’Connor and Bentley De Sury also had a clear round, but O’Connor knew that a clear would have given Ireland a perfect score at the break.
The Netherlands, riding first, faced difficulties early in the competition but managed to pull through and secure a well-deserved victory. Harrie Smolders and Isis delivered a flawless final round, with Smolders and Mr Tac securing a double clear round for the Dutch team. The challenging course, designed by Alan Wade, tested the technical skill of the top teams, contributing to penalty faults among many competitors.
Germany also had a strong showing, with one pole down across their scoring rounds. The Irish team, consisting of Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Tom Wachman (Tabasco De Toxandria Z), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky), and Cian O’Connor (Bentley De Sury), had a total of four faults, placing them just behind the winners, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Wachman, on his Aga Khan debut, delivered a perfect round of jumping for Ireland's first clear of the afternoon. Hughes Kennedy also contributed a clear round to the Irish team's efforts. Lynch and Vistogrand, Ireland's pathfinders, had four faults, the best score of those who had jumped at that point.
The young guns, Wachman and Hughes Kennedy, stole the show with a pair of double clear rounds. Their coolness beyond their tender years was a highlight of Ireland's performance. Hughes Kennedy also expressed his desire to achieve a double clear in the future after his round.
Despite the narrow defeat, Ireland showed great resilience and quality in their performance. The team made it three podiums in a row at the RDS since their win in 2022, with Michael Blake's men putting up a strong fight. The presence of faults on a demanding course proved critical in the final outcome, with the Netherlands emerging victorious.
Here is a summary of the final standings:
| Nation | Penalties | Final Result | |-------------|-----------|--------------------------| | Netherlands | Fewer faults | 1st place (winners) | | Ireland | 4 faults | 2nd place (near winners) | | Germany | 4 faults | 3rd place |
The 2025 Aga Khan Trophy Nations Cup was a nail-biting competition, with the Irish team giving a strong performance but ultimately falling just short of victory. The team can be proud of their efforts and will no doubt be looking forward to future opportunities to reclaim the trophy.
In the context of the thrilling horse-racing event, the Dutch team secured a well-deserved victory in the 2025 Aga Khan Trophy Nations Cup, whereas the Irish team, though showcasing great equestrian skills, incurred faults and finished second behind the Netherlands and Germany, with sporting implications for future competitions in horse-racing, particularly horse-racing events like this one.
Despite the narrow defeat, the Irish team's participation in racing events such as the 2025 Aga Khan Trophy Nations Cup showcased their resilience and quality, setting high expectations for their future performance in the sport of racing, especially in prestigious horse-racing events.
