After helping Ireland secure a brilliant victory in the Barrière Nations Cup, Cian O’Connor is shifting his full focus to Sunday’s prestigious Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule — and his confidence is running high.

"I'm delighted to be in La Baule and obviously, to have been part of the team that won the Nations Cup is fantastic,” said O’Connor. “Now I’m looking forward to the Rolex Grand Prix."

His trusted partner, Iron Man, has been in top form all season. Carefully brought along during the winter circuit in Florida, the stallion has impressed on major stages across the globe: 2nd place in Ocala, runner-up in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, double clear in Fontainebleau, and another double clear with a second place in Rome's Rolex Grand Prix.

“He’s on really good form,” O’Connor continued. “I jumped him today in the 1.45m and he felt super. So now we’ll keep him fresh for Sunday. If he can jump clear, we’ll give it a real go.”

O’Connor knows what it takes to compete at the top but remains grounded: “You need a bit of luck, and everything needs to go your way. But he’s certainly jumping very well. I feel like I’m on form, and everything’s heading in the right direction.”

With the world’s very best horses and riders gathered at La Baule for this Rolex Series event, competition will be fierce. But one thing is certain — Cian O’Connor and Iron Man are more than ready to challenge for the crown.