THE Irish Breeders’ Classic certainly proved to be a happy hunting ground for Mikey Pender as the claimed the €10,000 Castlefield Breeding Farm and Aloga five- and six-year-old All Studbooks Final on Saturday at Barnadown.

A total of 32 qualified combinations lined out to contest the final and, as expected, the standard was high with 16 proceeding to the timed round.

Fresh from his National Grand Prix win the day before, Mikey Pender had a win on his mind as he took to the course aboard the five-year-old Private Entrepreneur D’Or. Early to go in the jump-off and competing in heavy rain, Pender negotiated a series of tight turns - in particular from the Barnadown oxer to the vertical at 9a and then to the final oxer, which saw him deliver the winning round in 37.67 seconds.

Owned by Marion Hughes, this KWPN five-year-old is by El Barone 111 Z out of the High Shutterfly-sired La Vie D’Or.

Jack Ryan and Thera Van Heiste were Pender’s closest rivals when they also kept the poles in place in 38.95 for second. Owned by Donal Lynch, this Belgian Warmblood six-year-old mare is by Nevados S and was bred by Patrick Gillis, Stal Van Heiste.

Harry Wood and Juana Moussardiere were fractions behind, delivering a clear in 39.04 for third place. Owned by Olga Doyle and bred by M Franck Duval, the six-year-old French-bred mare is by Andiamo Semilly out of the Kannan-sired Tijuana D Auge.

Local rider Patrick Hickey opted for the longer lines with the five-year-old Epic Van Schuttershof Z and it paid off as they came home in 41.46 for eventual fourth. Owned by Patrick’s brother William, the five-year-old gelding is by Emerald Van’T Ruytershof out of the Nabab De Reve mare Fine Fleur Van Schuttershof.

Jason Foley and Castlefield Conthargos accounted for fifth place when they came home with nothing to add in 42.59. This six-year-old Castlefield Breeding Farm-owned stallion is by Conthargos out of Sweet Louise Spb Z (Solid Gold).

Completing the top six was Camilla Speirs aboard the BT Stables-owned five-year-old stallion Don Juan Z when they put in a faultless performance in a time of 42.59. Bred by Nicky and Jean Dillien Jordens, he is by Dominator 2000 Z out of the Cardento mare Alonsa S. This is the second impressive result for this pair, having claimed fifth in the Championship at Dublin Horse Show.