A second German victory came Cian O’Connor’s way today in the shape of the Aachen Speed Derby, which is run over ditches and banks as well as regular obstacles.

Having taken Wednesday’s Two Phase competition at the famous five-star show on the 10 year-old gelding Callisto, the Irish rider brought out his dark bay stallion Copain du Perchet for the Prize of Sparkasse speed class this afternoon.

Nineteenth to jump in a 25-strong field, O’Connor set a time of 68.42 seconds, bettering the German leader Philip Rüping on Chalypsa by just under a third of a second, and proving uncatchable by the remaining contenders for the trophy.

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Cian O’Connor and Copian du Perchet in action

Afterwards O’Connor commented: “Aachen have always kept this unique speed class with the lake, and the crowd really enjoy it. Copain took it all in his stride and literally ate up the ground in this huge arena today.”

O’Connor has been having a remarkable run of good form since returning in June from his six-week injury layoff, winning the Sopot Grand Prix on Good Luck, placing second in the Rotterdam Grand Prix on the same horse, and notching up six wins on Copain du Percher and Callisto at Treffen, Rotterdam, Falsterbo and Aachen.

Aachen’s world-famous Grand Prix takes place on Sunday afternoon.

Jack Burns