IRISH riders gave a great account of themselves at the four-star Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting over the weekend, winning four of the eight four-star classes on the schedule, as well as claiming numerous placings over the four days (June 18th-21st).

The highlight of the show was the 64th edition of the Al Shira'aa Derby, a 1.60m jump-off class on Sunday afternoon, with 30 on the start list. Of those, only two negotiated their way round the challenging first-round course without penalty - namely William Whitaker (GBR) on Flamboyant III and 2023 winner Derry’s David Simpson on the 11-year-old stallion Pjotr van de Kruishoeve - to require a jump-off.

The pressure was on as these two had to tackle the jump-off course, with Simpson first to go. A pole on the ground at the Devil’s Dyke meant that the disappointed Derry man picked up four faults in a time of 86.26. Whitaker opted for a steady clear and managed to keep all the poles in their cups in a slower time of 96.49 to claim the win and the £36,000 first prize. Simpson had to be content with the £24,000 for the runner-up.

Fellow Irish men, Wexford’s Stephan Dubsky on C The Stars and Longford’s Derek McCoppin on Capital Levubu shared equal third place with Sammy Jo Coffin (GBR) on the 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Chaccomo Blue (Vigo D'Arsouilles x Hot Lux by Lux Z), bred by Brian O’Malley, when they each picked up four faults in the first round, while Shane Breen on Eristov and Commandant Geoff Curran on Hawthornhill were among those in equal sixth place at the finish.

Speaking after the class, Simpson commented: “Pjotr loves it here at Hickstead, and I was delighted with how he was today. His next target is to come back here in July for the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix. That’s the good thing about him, he can do Derbies, he can do five-star Grands Prix. I’m very lucky to have him.”

Good start

The Irish contingent made a good start as Thursday’s opening Astore and Sons Speed Derby Qualifier, a 1.40m speed and handiness class, saw an Irish one-two, with Shane Breen and Just Jack proving best of the 54 starters, followed by Sean Monaghan on Chef of Flanders Fields Z in second. Orla Queally placed 10th with the Irish Sport Horse mare Kilnamac Maud.

The day’s Stoner Jewellers Vase 1.45m speed class saw Michael Pender on Madgeslane Louis place fourth of the 89 starters, with Peter Moloney on Nielson in seventh.

The ClipMyHorse.TV Derby Tankard 1.50m jump-off class saw two Irish riders in the top 10, with McCoppin on Capital Levubu in fifth (43.88) and Trevor Breen on Kannoon Blue in sixth (49.85). Of the 30 starters, there were just seven first-round clears, with one combination withdrawing from round two. The six remaining pairs all jumped clear again, with Matthew Sampson (GBR) on Un Secreto Z posting the fastest jump-off time of 40.89.

Friday’s Agria Derby Trial for the Ben O'Meara Memorial Trophy, a 1.60m jump-off class, saw 43 starters, just six of whom kept a clean sheet in round one. Four of these combinations proceeded to jump again - three of them being Irish. Only two double clears were recorded – one by winner Simpson on Pjotr van de Kruishoeve in a very fast time of 58.24 and the other by runner-up Alexander Bragg (GBR) on Hegglelane Houston, more than five seconds behind in 64.00. Dubsky on C The Stars and McCoppin on Capital Levubu placed third and fourth respectively, after each picking up four faults. Curran on Hawthornhill placed eighth in the class.

“I honestly would not be shocked to see a five or six-horse jump-off on Sunday,” Simpson said following the class. “The horse cannot feel any better. I think it’s really down to me not messing up on Sunday. He’s been in great shape for the last couple of weeks - he was unbelievable in Hamburg and St Gallen. So, touch wood, I can maintain that.”

Another Irish win

Later in the day, The Hickstead Derby Two Phase for the Tom Hudson Trophy, a 1.45m speed class of 69 starters, saw another Irish win, when Richard Howley rode Caprice D’Elle into first place with a double clear in a time of 34.00. Curran wasn’t far behind on board the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare DHF Alliance (Ard Vdl x Rosie Bee by Lux Z), bred by Paul Douglas, to place third in 35.30. The Irish pair were split by Mark Edwards (GBR) on Tinkers Touch in second (34.64). Ireland’s Alex O’Connor on Carreras 12 finished in 10th place in 39.63.

Howley is still getting to know Caprice D’Elle, but things appear to be going well so far. “He is a very versatile horse, who absolutely loves to go against the clock,” Howley said of the 14-year-old he has been riding for six months, but only bought two weeks ago. “He really enjoys it, as I am sure you could tell by the prize giving! He’s won so much for us already in a short space of time and it’s great to have him in the stable.”

Best horse

Saturday’s Clipmyhorse.tv Master's Trophy 1.50m jump-off class saw another Irish win, with Sean Monaghan taking the top spot from 70 starters with the 14-year-old stallion Toyger, who was making a return to major competition. Eleven combinations jumped clear in the first round, with five repeating that feat in the jump-off. Monaghan’s time of 44.74 proved best, with Abdullah Mohd Al Marri riding the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding BBS McGregor (Cardento x Random Chance by Mark Twain), bred by Marguerite Ryan, into second place in 45.06. Moloney rode Nielson into fifth place, followed by Pender on HHS Calais in sixth.

“I knew I had arguably the best horse in the class, and I was last to go, so if everything came right I’d say he was going to pull it off,” said Monaghan. “He’s one of the best horses in the world, he’s absolutely phenomenal.

“It’s his first big show since the League of Nations Final last October. It’s an emotional win because it’s been a long wait to get him back on the road. He’s been unlucky with a few little setbacks since October, nothing major, but we wanted to make sure he was fully back and now he feels better than ever, so I am excited for what’s ahead of him.”

The British Speed Derby for the Liz Dudden Memorial Trophy, a 1.45m speed and handiness class, saw a fifth-place finish for Andrew Hodgins on the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Shanaclough Luichew.