James Billington Repeats at Kentucky with Victory in the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix 2026.

Almost four seconds clear, James Billington defended his title at the Rolex Stadium at Kentucky Horse Park.

James Billington (GBR) clocked 38.852 seconds in the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, presented by Sterling Equestrian and Forest Hill, designed by Meghan Rawlins, with 23 combinations on course and 5 jump-off qualifiers at the Rolex Stadium at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. His second consecutive victory in this Grand Prix came with a margin of nearly 4 seconds over his nearest challenger. “I thought I’d go as fast as I could, and I watched Kevin go. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d beat him, but she has more experience than Kevin’s horse, so I could just keep rolling.”

Inajottie WB is a 13-year-old bay KWPN mare (Carrera VDL x Indoctro), owned by Samantha Mackenzie and Wilfred Beerse, a mount Billington began riding last year after a long career up to four-star level under the owner herself. “She knows what she’s doing. She’s so careful and jumps amazingly; the biggest thing is that I just don’t mess up on her.”

Kevin Gallagher (IRL) was the first to return in the jump-off, stopping the clock at 42.017 seconds with Casanova SP, an 8-year-old grey Westphalian gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Carolino) owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC, setting the benchmark that Billington would surpass convincingly. Loic Cannaert (BEL) completed the podium with Nazarine VD Axelhoeve, a 13-year-old bay BWB mare (Emerald x Chellano Z) owned by Kormendy Farms LLC, in 45.280 seconds, the only other combination to complete the jump-off without penalties.

Nicole Loochtan (USA) finished fourth with Kupardie, an 11-year-old bay KWPN gelding (Cidane x Indoctro) owned by NEL Sporthorses LLC, with 4 faults in a time of 41.819 seconds. Victoria Colvin (USA) rounded out the Top 5 with Gemino, a 14-year-old bay KWPN stallion (Manhattan x Democraat) owned by BMT Partners, with 4 faults in 43.467 seconds.

Top 5 Results — $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix | Kentucky Horse Park 2026