Whitaker hoping for third time lucky

William Whitaker and Flamboyant III are among the likely favourites for this year’s Al Shira’aa Derby at Hickstead (22 June).

The combination has finished runner-up in Hickstead’s showcase for two years running, and now William hopes to go one better in this year’s competition.

Earlier this month William and Flamboyant took part in the Hamburg Jumping Derby in Germany, the class that formed the original inspiration for Hickstead’s own Derby, where they had an unlucky four faults near the end of the course to finish in sixth place.

“He’s feeling in really good shape. He jumped really well, he listened to everything that I wanted him to do, and gave me a great feeling at Hamburg, and I’m now looking forward to Hickstead in a month’s time,” says William.

The 36-year-old already has his name on the Boomerang Trophy, having won the Hickstead Derby in 2016 with Glenavadra Brilliant. Four members of the Whitaker family have now won the class, with William’s uncles John and Michael Whitaker having four wins apiece, while 12 months ago Robert Whitaker won on Gentlemen VH Veldhof.

“It’s one of those classes every British rider wants to win,” says William. “When you look at the list of riders to have won the Derby multiple times, it's quite an exclusive group, and to join that list would be great.”

William originally picked up the ride on Flamboyant III in 2022 when his owner Elliott Smith broke his leg after completing the Derby Trial. Despite only sitting on the horse a few times, William finished sixth in that year’s Al Shira’aa Derby, and the following year they finished in ninth place. Flamboyant continues to be ridden by Elliott throughout the year, only returning to William in the run-up to the Derby. 

The 2024 edition saw Whitaker go through to a jump-off against William Funnell (Dublon) and Brazil’s Carlos Mota Ribas (Juan Van't Arkelhof), with Funnell taking the win and becoming the most successful Derby rider of all time with a record fifth victory. It was a similar story the following year when William and Flamboyant, Sammie-Jo Coffin and Chaccomo Blue and eventual winners Robert Whitaker and Gentlemen VH Veldhof all went clear in the first round and had to jump-off against the clock.

With several strong performances under his belt in the Al Shira’aa Derby, William is definitely among the main contenders for this year’s class.

“Flamboyant jumped a clear round last year, and in some years that's good enough to win outright,” William says. “When you've got a horse with that capability, you want to do the horse justice and get the job done for them. That was the case with Max [Glenavadra Brilliant], he jumped so many good rounds in the Derby, and I really wanted it to all come together for him on the day, because he deserved to have that title on his on his resume – and it's the same with Flamboyant, especially after coming so close the last two years.”

Flamboyant – known as ‘Banksy’ in the stable – is 16 now, but older horses often have an excellent record in the Derby, particularly if they’ve jumped round the track a few times. Asked what makes him such a good Derby horse, William adds: “Banksy has got massive scope, which helps for those big tracks like the Derby. He's very brave, even though he’s actually quite a sensitive horse – with him it’s a case of keeping him as relaxed as possible in the warm-up so he can go into the International Arena and not become too hyped up by the atmosphere that comes with Derby Day.”

The Al Shira’aa Derby takes place on the final day of the four-star Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (18-21 June) – tickets are on sale now.