IRELAND’S Samir Mirdad continues to make his mark on the Spanish sunshine tour at Vejer De La Frontera, where he has extended his lead at the top of the show’s leading rider rankings Trained by Dermott Lennon and John Floody, Louth-based Mirdad landed four podium finishes last weekend alone, beginning with a runner-up finish in last Friday’s 1.10m class with Mirdads Nayyyarat Alrahmaaan. He added a third place finish in the following day’s 1.10m class, this time riding The Irish Sport Horse, Mirdads Baaab Al Rayyyan.

However it was in Sunday’s 1.20m classic tour Grand Prix final where Mirdad recorded his best result, collecting the winner’s prize with Mirdads Maaa Shaaa Alllah.

The pair came home almost three seconds faster than their nearest rivals in a class that attracted over 60 starters.

Mirdad finished the week with a third place finish in the 1.10m Grand Prix final with Mirdads Booorraaaq Alrahmaaan.

Speaking this week to The Irish Field, Sheikh Mirdad said:

“I have replaced about half of my string of horses with younger ones that are mostly seven and eight years old. I only got these horses mid-January and I am only now starting to establish a relationship with them.

“Dermott Lennon and John Floody have had a great impact on my success along with God of course.

“Even though he is not here, John [Floody] has been a great help. I send him videos of the courses and he gives me advice.

“Every week the courses here have been getting tougher and more technical.

“I feel I am really starting to gel with my new horses now.

“There is a great sense of camaraderie with all the Irish riders out here and we really get behind each other. I feel if I can take five or six more wins I will be crowned leading rider of the show so that is my goal,” he added.