Earlier this year, we asked you to vote for your favourite Derby-winning horses. Victoria Spicer counts down your top 10.
There have been some amazing stories in the 57-year history of the Hickstead Derby. Tales of victors young and old, of riders and horses who have won against the odds, or those who have won time and time again. Legends that live on for years.
But becoming a winner of the Derby is an exclusive club to join, and few showjumpers ever achieve it. Since the Derby was first held back in 1961, there have been just 39 horses to have won the class. As the records show consistently throughout the decades, once a horse has won the class he or she has a very good chance of repeating that feat.
But of these 39 horses, which stand out as the greatest of all? In the run-up to this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, we polled more than 500 showjumping fans to find out who, of all the former horses to conquer the Derby course, they remember the most fondly – and here are the results.
10. Glenavadra Brilliant, William Whitaker
Winner in 2016
Last summer’s victory is obviously fresh in Hickstead fans’ minds, but William Whitaker’s aptly-named Glenavadra Brilliant truly deserves his place in this line-up of Derby greats. The 13-year-old Irish Sports Horse had been getting increasingly close to victory, finishing third with eight faults in 2014 and second with four faults in 2015 before finally netting that elusive clear 12 months ago (albeit with a single time fault).
When no one else could leave all the fences standing, William claimed the Boomerang Trophy for the first time – joining his famous uncles John and Michael Whitaker on the roll of honour. “Derby classes were always his strong point, so I knew if we got all our preparations right, and I rode him well, we’d stand a chance,” said William.
9. Corrada, Peter Charles
Winner from 2001-2003
One of only two mares to win the Derby (both greys, incidentally), and the only one to gain a place in our top 10 of Derby greats, is Peter Charles’ Corrada. Corrada was an amazing Derby performer, winning three times in succession with clear rounds every time (minus the odd time fault in 2001!).
The pair’s second victory, in 2002, saw them go into a jump-off against Robert Smith and Mr Springfield. Robert went first and went flat to the boards with the super-speedy Mr Springfield, hoping to put pressure on the reigning champions, but the tactic failed when they had three-down and Peter and Corrada once again pulled a clear out of the bag. “I told everyone I would win it, and the only way I wouldn't was if the rider took the wrong course,” said Peter. “That mare went in to that class and jumped clear, year in, year out. She was one of the best horses ever to jump round that course."
Along with Michael Whitaker’s ride Mon Santa, Corrada has a special place in Derby history for winning the Derby three years in a row – a record that has been bettered by just one horse….
8. Caritiar Z, Phillip Miller
Winner, 2013
The only clear round in 2013 came courtesy of this consistent Hickstead campaigner, who gave Phillip Miller his first win in the Derby. Caritiar Z and Phillip came very close to doing the double in 2014, only to lose out to Trevor Breen and Adventure De Kannan in the closest Derby jump-off ever, with Trevor winning by two-hundredths of a second.
Phillip, who is stable jockey to Pennie Cornish, always loved watching the Hickstead Derby but had no desire to compete in it himself. Eventually he was persuaded to have a go with ‘Carter’, with the pair finishing ninth on their first attempt. A year later, they got the only clear round to claim victory. “I didn’t expect to win – I was just hoping I’d have a good round as he’d jumped well the previous year,” said a surprised Phillip afterwards.
7. Skip Two Ramiro, Guy Williams
Winner, 2010
Not only did Skip Two Ramiro win Hickstead's most iconic class, he was also placed a number of times, finishing third in the Derby in 2008 and second in 2009 before finally giving Guy Williams the chance to lift the famous Boomerang Trophy in 2010. That year he jumped off for honours against Tina Fletcher and the scopey Promised Land, but Guy is known for being formidably quick against the clock, and the pair bettered Tina’s time by more than 15sec.
Chestnut gelding ‘Skippy’ then finished in the top 10 in the Derby for another three years running after his win, and retired following a final Derby attempt in 2015. Skippy died last autumn at the age of 20, but his name will always live on as one of the Derby greats. And for Guy, he will always be remembered for putting his name on the Boomerang Trophy, which he’d always wanted to win. “He made my dream come true,” said Williams.
6. Cortaflex Mondriaan, William Funnell
Winner in 2006, 2008 and 2009
The handsome bay Mondriaan is one of just three horses to have won the Derby three times. William and Mondriaan’s first victory came in 2006, a win local boy William has described as meaning the most to him in his career because it was the realisation of a childhood ambition. They missed out when finishing fourth in 2007, when the heavy going didn’t suit the horse, but had back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009 to complete the hat-trick.
“The final win was shortly after Douglas had died, and it was almost like it was destiny for me to win that day,” said Funnell. “I knew I needed a clear round, and I could almost hear Douglas saying to me ‘Come on! Don’t mess it up!’ For some reason, it just felt as if it was going to happen for me, and Mondriaan jumped brilliantly that day. He made it feel easy.”
‘Danny’ is now 23 years old and enjoying an active retirement. In fact, William confessed recently that given half a chance, the horse would quite happily come back and have another crack at the Derby!
5. Kilbaha, Captain John Ledingham
Winner in 1994 and 1995
At five in our poll is the great Kilbaha, who carried Ireland’s Captain John Ledingham to victory two years running in 1994 and 1995 – and very nearly made it a hat-trick. The pair came to defend their title in 1996, and cleared all the most difficult sections of the course only to have the Derby Rails after the water and another fence down near the end of the course to leave them on eight faults, a score they replicated in 1997.
They were in with a good chance of winning again in 1998, but unfortunately Kilbaha slipped and hit the first fence, the Cornishman, a fence that rarely causes any trouble. They would have finished on four-faults and gone into a jump-off against eventual winners John Whitaker and Gammon, but for a costly pull at the last that added a time penalty to their tally. Had they won, it would have given Ledingham a record-equalling fourth win, having already won the Derby on Gabhran in 1984.
Kilbaha, an Irish Sports Horse gelding, was an exceptional athlete, representing Ireland on more than 30 Nations Cups as well as his two Derby victories. “He was not an indoor horse, he loved big open spaces and Hickstead was tailor-made for him,” said John Ledingham. “He was the best horse I’ve ever sat on.”
4. Adventure De Kannan, Trevor Breen
Winner, 2014
The third horse in our countdown to have followed the pattern of finishing third, second and then finally winning the Derby (along with Glenavadra Brilliant and Skip Two Ramiro). But Adventure De Kannan stands out in a league of his own as the only one-eyed horse to win the Derby.
‘Addy’ and Trevor had an exceptional partnership and an unrivalled record in Hickstead’s big classes. They had already won the Eventing Grand Prix, the British Speed Derby and the All England Grand Prix but the Derby itself kept eluding them. But the horse’s fan base kept growing every time he overcame adversity – the operation to remove his right eye just weeks before his Derby attempt in 2013; the minor tendon injury ahead of their eventual victory in 2014. His win that year (he also won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup a few weeks later) – and his subsequent nickname ‘the one-eyed wonder horse’, made headlines around the world. “It was getting frustrating, having come so close to winning the Derby the previous two years. I knew Addy was good enough, and he’s won so much for me in his career, especially at Hickstead. To finally win, it was just ecstasy,” said Trevor.
3. Ryan’s Son, John Whitaker
Winner, 1983
The most bittersweet tale of all the Hickstead Derby champions is that of Ryan’s Son, who gave John Whitaker his first Derby victory. A small bay with a big white face and huge feet, Ryan’s Son would go on to have a legion of fans at a time when showjumping was still at its most popular.
As well as winning the Derby in 1983, Ryan’s Son came second a further four times, making him one of the most consistent horses in the history of the class. Sadly, his legacy was cut short at the age of 19 when he had a bad fall at the second fence in the 1987 Derby. Ryan’s Son walked out of the arena, but a few hours later, back in his stable, he collapsed and died.
In an extraordinary career that has spanned some five decades, John Whitaker names Ryan’s Son as the horse of his lifetime. Thirty-four years after his win, Ryan’s Son rightly holds his place near the top of this top 10 list of Derby champions.
2. Stroller, Marion Mould (nee Coakes)
Winner, 1967
In 1967, two Derby records were set when Marion Coakes and Stroller took the title. Marion, aged just 20, was the youngest winner of all – a record that remains today – while Stroller was (and still is) the smallest horse to win the class, standing at just under 14.2hh.
Although they only lifted the trophy once, Marion and Stroller had a superb record in the Derby, jumping three clear rounds and finishing second three times and third once. They produced the sole clear round the year they won, despite slithering down the Derby Bank sideways! Such was Stroller’s incredible surefootedness and scope, they were able to land safely and clear the huge vertical at the bottom of the bank.
You only need to walk the Derby course to appreciate just how huge the fences are, yet Stroller made them look easy. As well as their Derby victory, the pair also claimed the Ladies’ World Championship at Hickstead in 1965, along with two wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and an Olympic silver at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
1. Boomerang, Eddie Macken
Winner in 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979
Of all the equine heroes to conquer Hickstead’s most iconic class, none can rival Boomerang – who takes his place at the top of this poll. Together, he and Eddie Macken won the class an incredible four times in a row from 1976-1979, a record no one has been able to match. After their fourth win, Macken was allowed to keep the original Derby trophy, and a new trophy was commissioned in their honour, which depicts the pair coming down the Derby Bank. Nearly 40 years on, riders still come to Hickstead with the hope of lifting the iconic Boomerang Trophy.
Not only did the pair dominate in Derbies, they picked up Grand Prix wins around the world, with Eddie regularly topping the world rankings in the late 1970s. “I’ll never have a horse that will mean as much as Boomerang, and the possibilities of ever finding one with as much talent are very, very slim indeed. He was an exception,” said Macken.
The year after their final Derby win, Boomerang broke a pedal bone and had to be retired. He was put down at the age of 17, and was buried at Rafeehan Stud in County Meath. His grave is marked by four trees, which represent four wins at Wembley, four clear rounds in the final of the 1978 World Championships, four years in a row without a fence down in the Nations Cup at Dublin, and, of course, his legendary four wins in the Hickstead Derby.
This article was first published in June 2017.
14 moments we loved from the Royal International
From an Olympic champion making crêpes, a missing budgie, and a Whitaker winning the Nations Cup and King George for the second year in a row... Read all about our favourite moments from this year's Agria Royal International Horse Show!
View from the Press Office: June 2024
After a fantastic Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, our press officer Victoria Goff reflects on some of the standout moments from the show
Things you (probably) didn’t know about the Al Shira’aa Derby
We take a look through the archives to bring you some lesser-known facts about our most famous class
15 outstanding moments from the Royal International
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the best moments from last month's Royal International Horse Show
Young guns
They are two of the best under-25 riders in the world, and last year they stood first and second in the King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff caught up with Gilles Thomas and Harry Charles
Quick as a Flash
Victoria Goff spoke to Gemma Stevens, last year's winner of the Ashby Underwriting Eventers' Challenge
A view from the Press Office: June 2023
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff takes a look at some of the standout moments from the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
Showing's standout moments from 2022
We take a look back at the best moments from the show ring at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show
Home turf
Shane Breen chats to Victoria Goff about finally winning the Al Shira'aa Derby, after nearly 20 years of trying
An Olympic ambition
Victoria Goff visits Al Shira'aa Farms, to find out more about their journey in showjumping.
Career change
It's been nearly two decades since the first RoR showing championship took place at Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about transforming former racehorses into showing stars
In his prime
He's been one of the most consistent horses in the history of the Hickstead Derby - Victoria Goff finds out more about Harriet Biddick's remarkable horse A Touch Imperious
An outright victory
Clear rounds are a rarity in the Hickstead Derby, and often the class is won by a single first round clear. Victoria Goff takes a look back through the roll of honour
Hickstead's Christmas 2022 countdown
We count down our best moments from a brilliant year here at the All England Jumping Course
10 best moments from this year's Royal International
This year’s Longines Royal International Horse Show was a cracker – and wasn’t it wonderful to have five-star showjumping back at Hickstead where it belongs? Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff picks out her top 10 moments from this year’s show.
The view from the Press Office - June 2022
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff reflects on a fabulous week at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.
Superb Swedes
Victoria Goff reflects on the current strength and depth of the Swedish showjumping team
Thirty glorious years
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Goff looks back over three brilliant decades of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead
Magical moments from the Royal International
We choose some of the best moments from the past 30 years since the Longines Royal International Horse Show moved to Hickstead
Doney’s legacy
We pay tribute to Jon Doney, a highly-respected FEI official and an important part of Hickstead's team for many years
Doing the double
Only a select band of riders have won the British Jumping Derby and the British Speed Derby - Victoria Goff reveals which famous equestrians hold the honour of winning both
Teenage Dreams
In 2019, 19-year-old Michael Pender became the youngest ever rider to win the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff sat down to chat with him about his win
The Hickstead Derby in numbers
In 2022 we’ll see the 60th running of the Al Shira’aa Derby, one of the most iconic classes in showjumping. We take a look back over the decades at the Hickstead Derby in numbers.
60 facts about the Hickstead Derby
How well do you know the history of the famous Al Shira'aa Derby?
The 60th Hickstead Derby
The 60th Al Shira'aa Derby takes place in June 2022. Victoria Goff looks back on the history of Hickstead's most famous class
Harriet Nuttall Q&A
Showjumper Harriet Nuttall has an extraordinary record at Hickstead, having won the Science Supplements Speed Derby twice, the Science Supplements BHS Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Science Supplements All England Grand Prix - plus finishing runner-up three times in the Al Shira'aa Derby. Alex Irwin caught up with her to find out more about what makes her tick.
Holly Smith Q&A
Alex Irwin caught up with Hickstead star Holly Smith at the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships
The unstoppable Irish
Victoria Goff looks back at Ireland's stunning win in the 2018 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain, and goes back into the history books to remember the other memorable Irish wins at Hickstead
William’s fabulous four
William Funnell joined the elite band of four-time winners of the Hickstead Derby last summer. Victoria Goff spoke to him about what it means to join the likes of Harvey Smith, Eddie Macken and brothers John and Michael Whitaker.
Top Speed
We take a look back over the history of the British Speed Derby.
By Victoria Goff
Five of the best
Five riders share the record of having four wins in the Hickstead Derby. Victoria Goff takes a look through the archives to relive these legendary performances.
Coming of age
A few days before his 21st birthday, James Whitaker scored his first major Hickstead win. Victoria Goff caught up with him ahead of the 2019 Longines Royal International Horse Show.
A Platinum President
The BHS President Martin Clunes is a regular visitor to Hickstead. Victoria Goff finds out more about his role at the British Horse Society, and why he loves coming to our shows
10 magical showing moments
We take a look back over some of the standout showing moments from the 2017 season
Perfect Timing
Paul Tapner talks to Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff about his first win in the MS Amlin Eventers' Challenge
Miss Consistent
Harriet Nuttall proved she's no Hickstead bridesmaid, when adding yet another major title to her CV last summer. Victoria Goff caught up with the reigning Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner
Fiesta Time
Brazil had an extraordinary run of form at last year's Longines Royal International Horse Show. Victoria Goff finds out more.
Worth the wait
Victoria Goff describes the wait Nigel Coupe had before he finally become the Al Shira'aa Derby Champion in 2017.
Doing it for Ella
Hickstead's press officer Victoria Goff caught up with Matthew Sampson, the winner of the Bunn Leisure Speed Derby
Race against time
Victoria Goff takes a look back at some of the famous Hickstead Derby jump-offs that have taken place over the years.
A New Era
Victoria Goff finds out more about Al Shira'aa, the title sponsors of the Hickstead Derby
12 moments we loved at this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting
The Al Shira’aa Derby drew our June fixture to a close, and what a way to round off four fabulous sunny days of showjumping and showing. We take a look back at some of the best moments of this year’s show.
#RoadToHickstead contenders reveal...
We ask some of our leading Al Shira'aa Derby contenders some killer questions.
Harriet and Nigel go head-to-head
Two of the main Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby contenders, Harriet Nuttall and Nigel Coupe, discuss this year's challenge.
Hickstead Q&A - Hamad Ali Al Kirbi
UAE rider Hamad Ali Al Kirbi made his Hickstead debut last summer when he competed at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting. We caught up with him ahead of this year's show.
Can you spot our Mystery Guests?
We're very busy preparing the International Arena ahead of this year's Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting CSI4*, and with spring being somewhat late to arrive this year we've had to ask some special guests to join our Ground Crew!
Billy the King
Ireland's Billy Twomey enjoyed an amazing run of success at the 2016 BHS Royal International Horse Show, including a win in the Longines BHS King George V Gold Cup. Victoria Goff spoke to him about his golden run.
A home from home
Hickstead is very familiar stomping ground for David Simpson, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner in 2016. Victoria Goff spoke to him about winning on 'home territory'.
The One to Watch
In the run up to the 2017 Longines Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Goff caught up with Amlin Plus Eventers' Challenge winner Esib Power.
The nation's favourites
Earlier this year, we asked you to vote for your favourite Derby-winning horses. Victoria Spicer counts down your top 10.
An unforgettable Adventure
Adventure De Kannan is one of the most successful Hickstead horses of recent times. Victoria Goff looks back at the remarkable career of the one-eyed wonder horse
William Whitaker: How to win the Derby
The 2016 Hickstead Derby winner William Whitaker shares his winning formula!
William Whitaker: Advice for Hickstead newcomers
If you haven't ridden at the All England Jumping Course before, the 2016 Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker shares his insights into competing here.
William Whitaker: The perfect warm-up
The current Hickstead Derby champion William Whitaker explains how to nail your warm-up routine, both at home and at competitions.
William Whitaker: Winning a jump-off
Want to nail those jump-off rounds? Hickstead Derby 2016 champion William Whitaker shares his advice, and suggests two training exercises to improve your performance against the clock.
William Whitaker's training secrets
In the run up to this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, reigning Derby champion William Whitaker shares his showjumping training insights.
Words by Victoria Spicer, photos by Daisy Honeybunn
6 links between Hickstead and the Grand National
The home of British Showjumping and the most famous race on earth have more in common than you might think, writes Victoria Spicer...
A winning debut
Chloe Winchester, winner of the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2015, chats to Victoria Spicer about her winning debut at Hickstead
Elizabeth the first
Last year Elizabeth 'Beezie' Madden became the first woman ever to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup. In 2015, she did it again. Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer caught up with America's first lady of showjumping.
12 moments we loved at this year's Derby meeting
There was rain, there was mud, but much more importantly there was some brilliant competition at this year's Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting. We choose our top 12 moments from this year's show.
Back on top
Hickstead Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the connections of Loughnatousa WB, a horse who holds a very special record in the Derby...
Three in a row
Journalist Andrew Baldock takes a look back over the Hickstead archives at the three riders who have won the Derby three times in succession - and finds out which other riders came close...
A cool guy
Victoria Spicer chats to Guy Williams, the winner of the 2015 British Speed Derby, about setting records and why Hickstead will always be special to him
Eight great Derby rivalries
There have been some amazing clashes in the 56 years of the Hickstead Derby. Pippa Cuckson takes a look at some of the great rivalries over the years...
Breen’s Derby dream comes true
Hickstead's Press Officer Victoria Spicer chats to the 2014 winner of the Equestrian.com Derby, Trevor Breen.
Five Minutes with Fran Callan
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... series, we caught up with Fran Callan, the head travelling groom for Trevor Breen. As part of her job, she looks after Hickstead megastar and reigning Equestrian.com Derby winner Adventure De Kannan...
Miller's tale
Victoria Spicer meets Phillip Miller, winner of the 2013 Hickstead Derby, to talk about his rise from riding school lessons to Hickstead champion.
A lesson with Derby winner Phillip Miller
When we ran an exclusive Hickstead Derby Community competition to win a lesson with the 2013 Derby winner Phillip Miller, we had a great response. In the end, we selected 25-year-old Jodine Brooks from Kent and her seven-year-old Dutch gelding, Camorasun.
15 facts about the Derby course
From poles that 'twang', resident newts and motorway fences turned into showjumps, Victoria Spicer investigates 15 things that you might not know about the most famous course in British showjumping...
Five minutes with Phillip Miller
Her latest victim in the 'Five Minutes With Series…', Daisy sits down with natural born comedian and Hickstead Derby superstar, 2013 winner Phillip Miller…
Five minutes with Bob Ellis
Daisy Bunn is back in the interviewer's chair this week with Hickstead's very own Bob The Buider, world renowned, Olympic course builder Bob Ellis...
10 iconic Derby moments
Last seen disappearing into our dusky archives, Hickstead Press Officer and journalist Victoria Goff has put together a review of 10 of our most iconic Derby moments over the years
Five Minutes with Steve Wilde
Continuing our new Five Minutes With... interview series, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn sits down with Hickstead's 'golden tonsils', commentator and Director of Ceremonies Steve Wilde...
Five minutes with Daisy Bunn
As part of a new series, exclusively for our HDC members, Hickstead Director Daisy Bunn is going to catch key members of the Hickstead team for mini 5 minute interviews, to give our members a unique, behind-the-scenes take on everything Hickstead. Who better to start with than Daisy herself!
The best of the best
Equestrian journalist Charlotte Ricca-Smith asks Hickstead Derby winners to name the performance - apart from their own! - that impressed them most.
A Hickstead first
In 2013, Paul Beecher became the first person to produce a clear round having been drawn first to go in the Hickstead Derby, then go on to win the class. Victoria Spicer spoke to him about his achievement.
A National treasure
Harvey Smith is the only man to have won both the Hickstead Derby and trained a Grand National winner. Victoria Spicer reflects on his remarkable achievement.
Olympic heroes
Did you know that three out of the four showjumping gold medallists from London 2012 are past winners of the Hickstead Derby? Victoria Spicer catches up with them to find out what those wins meant.
CONTACT US
THE ALL ENGLAND JUMPING COURSE HICKSTEAD HASSOCKS WEST SUSSEX BN6 9NS Tel: +44 1273 834315 Fax: +44 1273 834452 View our Privacy Policy.
EVENTS
& TICKETS
PLAN
YOUR DAY
MEMBERSHIP
& SPONSORSHIP
