Kenny Leads the Way in the $78,000 The Agency 5* Speed Stake at the 2023 Hampton Classic Horse Show
After claiming several podium finishes during the week at the Hampton Classic, it was Darragh Kenny’s (IRL) turn to top the leaderboard in Saturday’s $78,000 The Agency 5* Speed Stake. Kenny bested a field of 40 entries representing 14 nations with Kerry Anne LLC’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Eddy Blue, stopping the clock in a faultless, blistering time of 69.27 seconds.
The Hampton Classic, August 27-September 3, is one of the world’s most prestigious horse shows, featuring competitors at every level from young children in leadline to Olympic, World, and World Cup Champions. The Classic also has competitions for riders with disabilities.
Of the nine horse-and-rider combinations to go clear over Alan Wade’s 16-effort, 1.50m course for the $78,000 The Agency 5* Speed Stake, only two stayed under the 70-second barrier: Kenny and World #5 ranked show jumper McLain Ward (USA). Just 0.41 seconds separated these two speed masters, with Ward tripping the timers in 69.68 seconds for a second-place finish aboard Cedric 84, Sport Four USA LLC’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
“I think I could have been a little quicker at the end of the course because I know the horse is very, very careful,” Kenny said. “You always have to worry about McLain’s rides, especially toward the end of a class. He’s one of the fastest and most competitive riders out there. With him coming up behind me, I likely could have made it more of a race to the finish as Eddy Blue is just learning to be a quick horse, but I’m very happy with his round and grateful to clinch the win.
It was an eventful weekend for The Agency who celebrated the opening of their new Bridgehampton office. The Agency, co-founded in 2011 by Mauricio Umansky and Billy Rose, has since grown to more than 1,500 brokers. The firm launched 11 offices in 2021 and another six in the first quarter of 2022 by way of its franchise model.
Dana Trotter, formerly of Sotheby’s International Realty, and Tyler Whitman, who appeared on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing New York and has been with The Agency New York ever since it acquired Triplemint last year, will lead The Agency Hamptons. The co-managing partners will debut a new office in Bridgehampton in mid-August.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Dana Trotter on our new franchise in the Hamptons,” says Whitman. “Dana is one of the most trusted real estate experts in the region, and I know that together we are going to bring our clients the signature Agency brand, marketing, and white glove service that will elevate the Hamptons residential market.”
