Irish young guns Pender and Ryan score double of wins in Abu Dhabi with Irish Sport Horses

Irish horses and riders have totally dominated today’s (Friday) action at the four-star show in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with Kildare’s Mikey Pender and Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan both claiming victories on Irish Sport Horses.

Mikey Pender received the winners prize after victory in the Al Shira’aa Derby in Abu Dhabi

Following an incredible year in 2019 which saw him win the Hickstead Derby, two medals at the Young Horse World Championships along with a string of top international victories, Mikey Pender has again started 2020 in style. Riding The Irish Sport Horse HHS Fortune, Pender (20) produced the fastest of four clear rounds to win the Al Shira’aa Derby in Abu Dhabi and in the process won the first new car of his Show Jumping career.

Mikey Pender and HHS Fortune (ISH)

In the earlier SERC U25 Grand Prix at the same venue, Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan continued his superb start to the season, by claiming a fantastic victory with the Kennedy Bros Sport Horses-owned Irish Sport Horse KBS Major Player.

Jack Ryan and KBS Major Player (ISH)

Eighteen-year-old Ryan was one of just two riders to make it into the jump-off. Mohamed Omran Ahmed Ali Al Owais (UAE) went clear when first to go in the jump-off with Caravelli, however Ryan finished almost a second faster to take the winners prize of €6,350.

BREEDING

HHS Fortune (ISH) – 2011 mare by Catoki (HOLST) out of HHS Daisy (ISH) by ARD VDL Douglas (KWPN). Breeder and owner: Marion Hughes, Co. Kilkenny. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).

KBS Major Player (ISH) Sire OBOS Quality (OLD), Dam Tattygar Lasts Rolo (ISH), Sire of Dam High Roller (ISH) Bred by Peter Rice, owned by KBS Sporthorses

Jack Ryan and KBS Major Player (ISH)