Second World Cup success for Allen

Equestrian: The precocious talent of show jumper Bertram Allen combined with the veteran experience of the stallion Romanov to beat the sport’s elite in the World Cup class in Bordeaux, France, on Saturday.

It was the the 19-year-old Wexford rider’s second win in the series from just six starts and what was even more amazing is that it came with his second-string mount, the 17-year-old chestnut stallion owned by Allen’s mentor Billy Twomey.

The first win was a sensation, coming as it did on his World Cup debut in Verona, Italy, last November, while this latest achievement has propelled him to the top of the Western European League.