IT proved a worthwhile trip for Mikey Pender from Kilkenny to Portmore last Saturday as the young rider lodged his first win in the 2020 The Underwriting Exchange National Grand Prix league.

Riding the Miguel Bravo-owned Javas Gucci, he took home the winner’s share of the €4,000 on offer in the Bluegrass Horse Feeds-sponsored class. Since returning from a successful tour in Europe, Pender has clocked up a series of results on the national circuit, including a second place in the five-year-old studbook class with Cubix van de Berghoeve Z and fifth in the 1.50m Grand Prix with HHS Calais at the Irish Breeders’ Classic.