Allen claims second Irish victory at Olympia

WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen racked up Ireland’s second victory within 24 hours with a win at the five-star show in Olympia, London this evening (Friday).

The 19 year-old scored success in the Christmas Speed Stakes with Wild Thing L, coming home with all fences standing and almost two seconds in hand over his nearest challenger, Belgium’s Constant Van Paesschen and Ralphy Utopia de Ransbeck.

Claiming 6,000 euro for his win, Allen made up for Thursday night’s disappointment when he piloted the same horse to a runner-up place, just a fifth of a second off the pace of Dutch winner Maikel van der Vleuten.

Wild Thing L is an 11 year-old mare jointly owned by the Allen family’s Ballywalter Farms and fellow Irish show jumper Billy Twomey.

Last night Ulster rider David Simpson took Ireland’s first win at Olympia, triumphing in the Puissance competition with the grey mare Richi Rich.

Bertram Allen