Edited press release from Royal Windsor Horse Show

Holly Smith (GBR) took a home win at Windsor in Saturday's CSI5* 1.55m Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup.

The 1.55m course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral proved challenging, with just three combinations progressing through to the jump-off. First into the arena for the second round, Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) and Cash du Plessis (Orient Express HDC x Rosire) set the standard with a clear round in the time of 33.63 seconds. Holly Smith, a former winner of this class in 2019, made up time with tight turns throughout and galloping down to the last to take over the pole position aboard Fruselli (Zambesi TN x Karandasj). Aboard Casalor (Casall x Acodetto), Abdel Saïd (BEL) put in a strong performance to threaten Holly’s lead, but in the end could only manage enough for second place.

A delighted Smith said: “I am elated with Fruselli today – he was incredible, and I am so pleased for his owners Sue and Gordon Hall. I won this class in 2019, on the Hall’s Hearts Destiny, who sadly passed away two years ago, so to win here today on this horse feels extra special. The course rode really well, so I was surprised there were so few clears. In the jump-off, I took risks and really went for it, as the worst I could be was third, but those risks played off! I love it here and the crowd has been amazing – it is such an honour to win on home soil.”