WEXFORD’s Bertram Allen emerged victorious in the lightning fast Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of A Coruña, Spain, last Saturday. Riding the exceptional Irish Sport Horse gelding Pacino Amiro, Allen was winning his first LGCT Grand Prix since 2018.

Leading the victory gallop after a nail-biting jump-off of just nine top combinations, Allen beat Ioli Mytilineou on L’artiste de Toxandra by just fractions of a second. Once again Harrie Smolders was on the podium with Monaco N.O.P, this time taking third and switching positions with Ioli compared to the last event in Monaco.

Thrilling the full-capacity crowd at A Coruña, Allen not only collected €100,000 in prize money but also secured his golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at Prague later this year. “It is fantastic to qualify for the LGCT Super Grand Prix as it is something I have always wanted to do,” Allen commented.

“I had a similar plan to what Ioli [Mytilineou, second] did, then when I watched her go, I knew it was all possible, and thankfully I was just a little bit quicker. It is not easy to win these Grand Prix so I am delighted.”

Finishing just 0.40 seconds ahead of Greek rider Ioli Mytilineou and L’artiste de Toxandra, Allen had the advantage of being the last rider to go and clocked the winning time of 40.61. The 13-year-old Pacino Amiro, by Pacino, was bred by Simon Scott out of the NC Amiro mare Carnone Dancing Queen, and he is owned by Aiden McGrory.

Having stood on the top of the podium for the second week in-a-row, but on a completely different horse, Ioli has made it clear her horse power for the 2023 season is a force to be reckoned with. “It feels like a dream. To be able to have two horses podium at a LGCT Grand Prix, which as we know, are not small Grands Prix, is surreal”.

Standing alongside each other for the second week in-a-row on the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix podium, GCL teammate Harrie Smolders slotted into third with Monaco N.O.P (0/0 41.75).

It was also a memorable evening for West Sussex-based Tipperary rider Trevor Breen who made it through to his first ever LGCT Grand Prix jump-off with Highland President. Opting for a tactical double clear he kept it smooth and tight crossing the finish line in 45.79 to secure a top five finish.

Dutchman Miakel van der Vleuten extended his Championship lead after a top 10 finish to 231 points. Christian Kukuk remains in second on 180 points, while Simon Delestre rocketed up to third on 171 points.

Allen and Pacino Amiro also won Friday’s 1.60m Table A, seeing off compatriot and former mentor Billy Twomey when fastest of 18 clear rounds in 64.20 seconds to earn €38,125. Twomey finished in the runner-up position with Chat Botte E.D, clear in 65.41, while world number one Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward slotted into third (0/ 66.99).