Portuguese Grand Prix win for Ireland’s Mikey Pender – Three Irish Sport Horses in top four

A brilliant performance from Kildare’s Mikey Pender saw him come out on top in Sunday’s three-star Grand Prix at Vilamoura in Portugal, where Irish Sport Horses filled three of the top four places.

Mikey Pender and HHS Calais (ISH) (Photo: Vilamoura Equestrian Centre)

Pender’s winning performance came aboard The Irish Sport Horse HHS Calais following a seven-horse jump-off with the Irish rider finishing almost a second ahead of his nearest challenger, Brazil’s Felipe Ramos Guinato, who took runner-up spot with Bigstar. Portugal’s Duarte Seabra would finish third with The Irish Sport Horse HHS Washington. Another Irish Sport Horse, Vivalgot, who is owned by Ireland’s Dermott Lennon and out of his World Championship winning mare Liscalgot, grabbed fourth place with another double clear round when ridden by Mario Prieto (POR).

BREEDING
1st HHS Calais (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) out of MHS OBOS Cruise (ISH) by OBOS Quality (OLD). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: Bravo Hughes Ltd. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL).
3rd HHS Washington (ISH) – 2010 gelding by Tinaranas Inspector (WESTF) out of Cadiz (ISH) by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Breeder: Miguel Bravo, Co. Kilkenny. Owner: QP Equitação, LDA. Rider: Duarte Seabra (POR).
4th Vivalgot (ISH) – 2010 gelding by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveld (BEWB) out of Liscalgot (ISH) by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Timpan Ltd., Co. Armagh. Owner: Dermott Lennon. Rider: Mario Prieto (POR).