Bertram and Pacino Amiro win five-star Florida Grand Prix for second year in-a-row
Bertram made history at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida this morning (Sunday), when he scored back-to-back Grand Prix victories on the same two weeks he had also won in 2021. A two-time winner of WEF three-star Grand Prix in 2021 and 2022, Bertram again rose to the top in the five-star $406,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix with Pacino Amiro (ISH), the same mount he rode to victory in 2021.
Photo @sportfot
Published 27.02.2022
Just five of the 40 starters jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. Bertram was second in and opened up Pacino Amiro's giant stride to gallop across the course clear in what would prove a winning time of 44.14. Paul O'Shea & Trelawny Farm LLC's Chancelloress crossed the timers just off the pace in 44.49 seconds for second place, Bliss Heers and Antidote de Mars came in third.
Bertram has been coming to WEF for the past three years with great success.
"It's great to win any class here, but especially a Grand Prix, and to win a five star is even more special. Last year it was great jumping here, but it was even better this year with a full house because you could really feel the atmosphere. Tonight was a tough Grand Prix, and we only saw a few clears, so it was a great result."
When Bertram won last year, Pacino Amiro was only nine years, competing in his second five-star class. The now-10-year-old gelding owned by Aiden McGrory "really felt at his best tonight," said Bertram:
"He's a big horse and has his own way of going, but he is a fantastic, genuine horse with lots of talent and brave as a lion," described Allen. "You're not worried about what the course builder is building because you know he can jump everything, so I'm very confident in him, and it's a nice feeling to have."