BRITAIN’s William Funnell (52) joined an illustrious group of four-time winners when claiming the Al Shira’aa Derby at the world famous Hickstead show grounds last Sunday.

Riding his home-bred 10-year-old gelding Billy Buckingham (by Billy Congo), Funnell was one of two clear rounds over the Derby track and beat Holly Smith in a jump-off to become the fifth rider to win the class four times, having previously clocked up a hat-trick of victories in 2006, 2008 and 2009 with Cortaflex Mondriaan. He joins Harvey Smith, John and Michael Whitaker, and Ireland’s Eddie Macken in the history books.