London, August 8, 2025 — The Shanghai Swans delivered a masterclass in precision and composure at GCL London 2025, securing their third win of the season under the iconic backdrop of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Star riders Ben Maher and Daniel Deusser combined forces to dominate Stage 9 of the Global Champions League, pushing the team firmly into the championship race.
The 17th-century red-brick façade of the Royal Hospital Chelsea provided an atmospheric stage for a day of elite show jumping. Fans were treated to high drama, surprise podium finishes, and the unmistakable thrill of GCL London 2025 competition.
Hometown Heroics at GCL London 2025
For local favourite Ben Maher, riding at home made the victory even sweeter. Partnering with Point Break, Maher sealed the win with a composed round, building on Deusser’s flawless performance with Gangster v/h Noddevelt. Their combined score of 8 faults was enough to keep the Swans ahead of the competition.
“We don’t get too many chances to ride at home, so it’s always great for me to have my family here,” Maher said. “London is a great city and a perfect start to the week. Thank you to Daniel for setting it up so well!”
Deusser, the first to ride in the decisive final round, praised the advantage of having Maher close the day. “When you’re last to go and you have someone like Ben behind you, it’s an advantage. The pressure is high, but we made it work.”
Podium Shake-Up at GCL London 2025
The Basel Cosmopolitans provided one of the biggest shocks of the event. Entering Round 2 in 16th place, they surged up the leaderboard to claim second, thanks to double clears from Zascha Nygaard Lill (Partner in Crime) and Jana Wargers (Like Arpeggio).
“That was really unexpected,” Wargers admitted. “We were in the VIP lounge without boots when we found out we needed to go to prize giving!”
In third place, the Mexican Amigos powered by H5 Stables climbed from 11th after the first round, with Petronella Andersson (Opaline De W&s) and Emilie Conter (Portobella Van De Fruitkorf) delivering clutch clear rounds.
High Stakes for the GCL London 2025 Championship
The competition’s challenging 15-obstacle, 1.55m track from course designer Uliano Vezzani demanded precision from all 17 teams. Even championship leaders Valkenswaard United stumbled in Round 1, dropping to last before recovering in Round 2 to retain their series lead.
GCL 2025 Standings After Stage 9:
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Valkenswaard United – 193 pts
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Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames – 187 pts
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Shanghai Swans – 186 pts
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Prague Lions – 142 pts
A Gruelling Round 2 Decider
Vezzani raised the difficulty for the second round to 1.60m, adding a triple combination and tighter distances. Teams like the Paris Panthers and St. Tropez Pirates saw their podium hopes dashed with costly rails.
The Istanbul Warriors, last year’s London winners, suffered elimination after a refusal from Dexter Fontenis Z, ridden by Simon Delestre. The Cannes Stars, buoyed by a brilliant double clear from Sophie Hinners, narrowly missed the podium after faults from Katrin Eckermann.
When Maher and Deusser entered as the final pair, they knew exactly what was needed. Deusser’s clear round set the tone, and even with one pole down, Maher’s ride secured the Swans’ top spot — a win that tightens the championship battle ahead of GCL Valkenswaard in two weeks.
Momentum Building After GCL London 2025
The GCL London 2025 result not only electrified fans but also injected fresh energy into the season’s championship race. With just seven stages remaining, every round carries immense weight, and the Shanghai Swans’ consistency could prove decisive in their hunt for the title. Their balance of international star power, tactical riding, and team chemistry has made them one of the most feared squads on the circuit. As the tour heads to Valkenswaard, rival teams will need to raise their game if they hope to stop the Swans’ soaring momentum.
Read the full GCL London 2025 story and explore all the latest horse racing news on RaceBuzz.
