MIKEY Pender is having a great run of form at the Spanish Sunshine Tour at Vejer de la Frontera. The Kildare rider followed up his 1.50m Grand Prix win of last weekend by winning the six-year-old final on Wednesday with Madgeslane Luidam (ISH). To make this latest victory even sweeter, the six-year-old stallion is a home-bred.

Following his win, Pender said: “I am delighted to win today, and it’s extra special for my grandparents, who bred this stallion. He is a part of the family and he has improved every day since arriving here, on his first trip away from home. He has an excellent temperament and is always eager to learn, which enhances his ability on every outing. I am excited to see what the future holds for this horse.”

There were 58 starters in the Six-year-old 1.30m class, with 11 of them jumping clear. Pender’s time of 38.49 seconds was the fastest of those, just 0.4 seconds ahead of Spanish runner-up Jesus Torres Garcia (38.53), while Irish riders claimed six of the top 10 places.

Madgeslane Luidam (ISH) is by Luidam (KWPN) out of Madgeslane Carol (ISH) by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) and was bred by Michael Pender. He is owned by his rider and his mother, AnnMarie.

Seven-year-old

Another success to be mentioned is Molly Hughes Bravo winning the seven-year-old final with HHS Mercedes. While Molly rides for Portugal, she is the daughter of Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo, who run Hughes Horse Stud in Kilkenny. The talented young rider had two horses in the 1.40m final, HHS Ice Flo, on whom she claimed fourth place and HHS Mercedes on whom she won. The mare is by Can Ya Makan out of a Couletto mare and is owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd.

Irish rider, Leah Stack rode Luigi to take second place, with the only other clear in the jump-off.