Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

Against the iconic backdrop of Miami Beach, Michael Duffy (IRL) and Claptonn Mouche (Conrad x Elan de la Cour) secured their first-ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory. The duo's remarkable win was highlighted by their status as the sole double clear of the day. 

While Duffy and Claptonn Mouche claimed the top spot, Max Kühner (AUT) and EIC Cooley Jump the Q (Pacino x Obos Quality) finished two seconds faster but accumulated four faults over the Liverpool fence which caught out more than a couple of contenders. Julien Anquetin (FRA) and Blood Diamond du Pont (Diamant de Semilly x Arpege Pierville) rounded off the podium as the second fastest four-faulter in the jump-off. 

Duffy's emotional victory was evident as he dedicated the win to his late friend Jack Dodd, during a tearful winner interview. 

“It’s been a while coming now, it’s probably about time we got our fingers out and did something. It’s amazing, I’m a bit lost for words… I’m not the biggest talker but even more so this time. I have no words," a speechless Duffy said during his winner's interview. “It’s tough jumping here, it is so delicate, with a white pole in the jump-off and it’s it was just delicate, so I wanted to be as quick as I can and leave the jumps up to get the job done.” 

Speaking with GCTV after his second-place podium finish, Max Kühner was reflective of his jump-off round where he accrued four faults. “Cooley is a fast horse, I know that. He is a sensitive horse, through the turn he had a little slip and I then needed to give him a little bit of a push to get to the next fence. He’s so sensitive, he always remembers a push like that, and I could feel for the next fence I had to hold him back a little bit. I think that could be why the fault happened.”

Kühner went on to comment on the venue, along the glittering shores of the Atlantic Ocean. “I mean, Miami Beach, it is just so special here. It is a special venue, with a great view of the sea and just such a special atmosphere.”

The new 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour-leader Eduardo Alvarez Aznar paid tribute to this long-term partner Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (L’arc de Triomphe x Apache d'Adriers) after the two finished fourth in the Grand Prix. “I have a very nice feeling, especially with the horse that I got. I’ve jumped both LGCT Grand Prixs this year with him, first in Doha and now in Miami Beach. My old horse Rockefeller, he’s 19, and it is probably his last season, so the championship really means a lot for me.”