KILDARE’S Mikey Pender secured his first victory in the 2025 Plusvital Premier Grand Prix at the National Balmoral Championships last Sunday. In addition to claiming the winner’s share of the £25,000 prize fund, he also took home the prestigious Giltspur Trophy.

Riding his own home-bred eight-year-old Madgeslane Louis, he was fastest of six double clears. The chesnut gelding is by Luidam out of the OBOS Quality 004-sired Madges Lane Karol. The dam herself has an impressive record which includes jumping in the seven/eight-year-olds in Dublin with Pender in 2018.