Kyle King and Replay Touch v/d Stapelheyde Take Top Call in the $80,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar Presented by Core Specialty Insurance
The penultimate day of the 2026 HITS Del Mar National Horse Show – Hunter/Jumper Week at the HITS Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, California, came to a head on Saturday, May 2, as spectators and exhibitors flocked in for the day’s featured event, the $80,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar, presented by Core Specialty Insurance. A USEF Heritage Competition known for tradition and excellence, the action-packed week draws impressive talent throughout the jumper ranks, as well as in the hunter arenas, boasting a World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation. Of course, all eyes were on the marquee event, the $80,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar, presented by Core Specialty Insurance, which put the exclamation mark on a thrilling week of sport as Kyle King (USA) raced to the top spot aboard Replay Touch v/d Stapelheyde.
Ivan Tagle (ARG) was the mastermind behind the opening track, which saw 34 horse-and-rider combinations contest for a clear round. Just four duos managed to leave the poles in the cups to advance to the all-deciding jump-off.
Tagle’s short course saw competitors racing across the icon Grand Prix Field as they vied for victory. Reagan Tomb (USA) was the first to set the pace with Nijinsky 10, the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Numero Uno x Cartani 4) owned by Greg Tomb. They stopped the clock in 40.743 seconds but ticked one rail for four faults. Determined to put in a clear effort, Chandler Meadows (USA) took a steadier approach, breaking the beam in 43.331 seconds with her own Puskas de Kalvarie, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Sea Coast Don’t Touch Tiji Her x For Pleasure), putting them into the provisional lead. A frequent face in the HITS Del Mar winner’s circle, Irishman James Chawke stepped on the gas with his own Daido van’t Ruytershof Z, the 12-year-old Zangersheide mare (Dieu-Merci van T&L x Bamako de Muze), landing in blazing 38.157 seconds but with one costly rail. Last to go, King knew what he had to do and guided Replay Touch v/d Stapelheyde to the winning fault-free round in 42.921 seconds. Meadows finished in second as the only other double-clear score, while Chawke ended up in third, and Tomb completed the jump-off in fourth.
“I’ve been coming to the Del Mar National Horse Show for probably 50 years, since I was a baby,” noted King. “I’ve never won this Grand Prix, though. I’ve been top four a few times, but I’ve never won it. The show has such great history and prestige. My mother rode in this Grand Prix back in the 70’s, so this is an especially great victory, and I’m very proud that I’ve finally won this.
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