Countryman Daniel Coyle came charging into the ring on Legacy, the final pair to return for the short course, and flew to, then promptly flattened, the first fence—and then two more. He gave his mare a dejected pat as he left the ring. “I’m really happy about the win today, but what happened this morning […]
Countryman Daniel Coyle came charging into the ring on Legacy, the final pair to return for the short course, and flew to, then promptly flattened, the first fence—and then two more. He gave his mare a dejected pat as he left the ring.
“I’m really happy about the win today, but what happened this morning was a little more special. All of it together made this day something I will never forget.”
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny clutched his helmet in disappointment after crossing the timers eight hundredths of a second over the time allowed. A single time fault putting paid to his bid with Eddy Blue.
The final and biggest Grand Prix of the season saw defending champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 reclaim their title—in the German’s second biggest win of the day. And it saw many more feel the sting of defeat as their chance at the 0k payday slipped through their gloves in devastating fashion.
And it was a full circle moment for Kukuk. The pair won the same class in 2024 and went on to capture the LGCT Madrid, Olympic individual gold in Paris that year. In 2025, they’ve finished on the podium in three of their four 1.60m starts (Jumpr stats), including two wins and one second place finish.
“Checker and I have known each other for five years. We’ve created a relationship full of success and disappointments. It’s been two years now since I have learned every single one of his ‘buttons’ you could say. I know exactly what I can ask of him and what I cannot. He knows me, he trusts me, and we trust each other. To be consistent in this level of competition, it’s all about creating a deep relationship with your horse.”
In the high stakes drama of sport, tragedy and triumph have equal claim to the field of play and there was plenty of both at Wellington International on Saturday.
“It is a pleasure to ride Checker. There is something special between him and this arena. Every time I come into the ring with him, I get the feeling that he has an extra gear, he feels so comfortable here [in Wellington],” said the world no. 6.
And in striking contrast to it all were Christian Kukuk and Checker 47.
Because the lows on Saturday night were the kind that haunt you the morning after—rider errors. And their body language said they knew it immediately.
It was an all Olympian podium with Laura Kraut (USA) and her Paris 2024 partner Bisquetta taking second 39.49 and Ashlee Bond and Donatello 141 in third in 40.41.
Kukuk now ties USA’s McLain Ward as the only other athlete to twice win the Rolex Grand Prix in Wellington. But he has one very compelling reason to celebrate all the more on Saturday. In the early morning hours, Kukuk and his wife Veronica welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lila.
Topping the eight-horse jump off set by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge with a time of 39.2 seconds, the reigning Olympic champions reigned supreme in the Rolex Grand Prix for the second year running and in their second 1.60m Grand Prix title of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival.
