Karl Cook : "I d'ont enter to not win"

Karl Cook is enjoying a remarkable week at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show. After claiming victory in Thursday’s Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes CSI5* 1.60m aboard Foxy de la Roque, the American rider delivered another outstanding performance on Friday, producing a double clear with Caracole de la Roque in the Nations’ Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy and helping the United States secure victory in the historic 100th edition of the competition.

With all three of his horses performing at their best, Cook could hardly have hoped for a better build-up to Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland.

“The feeling has been great. All three of my horses are in really good form and they all feel great. I’m having such a good time here, and I think the more fun I have, the better the horses jump. So we’re going to keep going down that road. Having my wife and my daughter here makes the whole experience even more special.”

After Foxy de la Roque’s victory on Thursday and Caracole de la Roque’s two clear rounds on Friday, Cook has made his decision for Sunday.

karl cook

“We’ll take Foxy for the Grand Prix. She was very, very good yesterday, and we’re really happy with the way she jumped. We’ve been putting a lot of work in, and it was great to feel that come together. After Caracole jumped two great rounds today, I think it makes the most sense to go with Foxy. She’s amazing and I have all the confidence in her.”

His ambition for Sunday is equally clear.

“Of course, the goal is to win. I don’t enter to not win!”

For Cook, however, competing in a Rolex Grand Prix is about more than the result. He believes the strength of the Rolex Series lies in bringing together world-class sport while preserving the unique identity and traditions of each event.

“The thing about the Rolex Grands Prix is that the events are always so special. What makes them even more special is how unique they are to the country they’re in. When you go to Rome (where Cook won the Rolex Gran Premio Roma in 2024, another Rolex Series event) you know you’re in Italy. The atmosphere and the feeling are amazing. Here in Dublin, it’s completely different: you feel like you’re in Ireland.”

” That’s what I think the Rolex Grands Prix within the Rolex Series do so well. Each one is unique to the people and the place where it’s held, and that’s what makes them so special.”

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