Pender takes €300,000 purse in Saudi Arabia

Kildare's Mikey Pender claimed a massive victory in Saturday five-star Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, taking the top prize of €300,000.

Pender (23) claimed the first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of his career back in August at Valkenswaard in The Netherlands, and this latest win in Riyadh makes Pender the youngest ever winner of two LGCT Grand Prix competitions.

One of just four combinations to make it into the jump-off, Pender and HHS Calais, stopped the clock clear in 35.78 seconds to take the winners purse.

Dutch rider Harrie Smolders and Monaco N.O.P. finished as runners-up in 36.68, while third spot on the podium went to another Dutchman, Jur Vrieling with Long John Silver 3.

Two Irish riders on Irish horses would finish in the top six with Wexford's Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro (ISH) taking sixth place overall.