Gilles Thomas Steals the Show in Blistering Longines Global Champions Tour of London Lugano Trophy

The historic Royal Hospital Chelsea provided the perfect backdrop for a high-octane second day of 5* sport, with the British capital bathed in late-summer sunshine and grandstands packed to capacity. With 16 world-class combinations returning for the jump-off, the stage was set for a showdown worthy of London’s reputation for drama.

Belgium’s Gilles Thomas, fresh from recent LGCT success, proved why he and Luna remain one of the most feared speed duos on the circuit. Saving their best for second last, they powered around the short course in a scorching 41.39 seconds, finding forward distances at every opportunity and executing razor-sharp rollbacks that shaved crucial fractions off the clock.

Speaking after the win, Thomas praised his 14-year-old mare’s fighting spirit:
"She’s incredible – she knows when it’s time to go fast and she loves the atmosphere here. In a jump-off like this, you need a horse who’s brave and careful, and Luna gives me that every time."

Abdel Saïd and his talented Holsteiner gelding Calvaro looked to have the class sewn up after stopping the timers at 41.97 seconds, only to be pipped by Thomas’s perfectly judged round. Great Britain’s own Scott Brash gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, piloting Hello Valentino into third with a quick 43.02 seconds - just a whisker ahead of France’s Gregory Cottard and Cocaine du Val.

Pieter Devos and Jarina J produced another faultless performance for fifth, while Austria’s Katharina Rhomberg impressed with the 10-year-old Colestus Cambridge to take sixth. German ace Daniel Deusser and Gangster v/h Noddevelt slotted into seventh, rounding off an afternoon that showcased top-tier horsepower and fearless riding.

Not every rider found luck on their side – Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue produced blistering pace but lowered a rail, while Maikel van der Vleuten’s Dywis HH and Jack Whitaker’s veteran Valmy de la Lande also fell foul of the tight turns.

It was an afternoon that had it all – speed, skill, and split-second decision-making – and as Thomas saluted the crowd beneath the Union Jack, the atmosphere inside Royal Hospital Chelsea hit fever pitch.

Celine Schoonbroodt de Azevedo set the pace as the first to return, but an early rail fell and more soon followed, prompting her to retire and save her horse for another day. While Zoe Conter looked sharp out of the gate with Melodie-K van 't Kattenheye, but the tricky Longines plank proved her undoing, adding four to her score and dashing hopes of a podium finish.

Jack Whitaker and Valmy de la Lande attacked the track with purpose, but the delicate plank after the double combination fell, followed by another later on course, leaving them with eight faults. Young gun Yali Kass’ round quickly unravelled as four fences came down in succession, leading to an early retirement before the finish line.

Germany’s Jana Wargers produced a flowing round aboard Like Arpeggio, but the very last fence caught them out, adding four faults in the closing stride.Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli was on track for a competitive time, but two rails hit the sand, leaving her out of contention.

Local hero Scott Brash and Hello Valentino were the first to deliver a flawless round, combining precision and pace to stop the clock at 43.02 seconds leaving the rest of the field to chase. Next up, Gregory Cottard and Cocaine du Val came agonisingly close to matching Scott, crossing the line just 0.01 seconds slower to slot into provisional second.

There was drama are Belgium’s Abdel Saïd and Calvaro lit up the arena with a bold, attacking ride, slicing turns to stop the clock 1.01 seconds quicker than Brash and snatch the lead.

Fan favourite Ben Maher came out of the double combination slightly off balance with Ginger-Blue, leading to a rail down despite an otherwise fast and polished performance. It wasn’t to be for Maximilian Weishaupt and Kokomo B couldn’t find their usual rhythm, lowering two fences and dropping down the order.

Belgium’s Pieter Devos and Jarina J stayed cool under pressure, producing a smooth, economical clear in 43.83 seconds to slot inside the top five. While Dutch star Maikel van der Vleuten and Dywis HH were right on the pace until a single rail fell, keeping them out of the clear-round club.

Austria’s Katharina Rhomberg delivered a superbly judged round on Colestus Cambridge, stopping the clock at 44.23 seconds with all the poles in place.

But Gilles Thomas changed the game with Luna van het Dennehof, taking risks at every turn to produce an incredible 41.39-second clear that rocketed him into the lead.

Last to go Daniel Deusser and Gangster v/h Noddevelt delivered a masterclass in control and accuracy, but their steady pace meant their clear in 44.30 seconds wasn’t enough to catch Thomas, sealing victory for the Belgian.

With the crowd still buzzing from the day’s action, all eyes now turn to Sunday’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London – where the sport’s biggest names will go head-to-head for glory in the heart of the capital.