'Words can't describe this'

Ireland’s David Simpson and his eight-yearold Derby debutant stallion just deny William Funnell a record fifth Derby success in one of the greatest jump-offs in Hickstead Derby history

- ELEANOR JONES and JENNIFER DONALD

Al Shira’aa Derby, The All England Showground, W Sussex

DAVID SIMPSON said words could not describe how it felt to realise his long-held dream of winning the Al Shira’aa Derby – after he and the eight-year-old Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve triumphed in a three-way jump-off.

David and the Dutch-bred stallion – who won the sevenyear-old championship at last year’s Derby meeting with David’s wife Louise – tipped just the Derby rails to finish on 90.48sec, ahead of William Funnell and Dublon, who had cleared everything but the middle part of the Devil’s Dyke to finish on 91.68sec. William was also third on Equine America Billy Diamo, whom he retired in the jump-off.

“He’s incredible,” David said. “I came here in 2007 to work for Shane Breen, but before that, from as young as I can remember, when you talked about showjumping, you talked about the Hickstead Derby. So to lift that trophy – words can’t describe it.”

William had looked on good odds to take what would have been a record fifth Derby victory. His first-round clear on Billy Diamo was a masterclass in jumping the course, footperfect from start to finish, to the delight of the crowd.

It was still the only clear when he came back in on Dublon, 15 horses later, and produced an almost carboncopy round. It looked as if William could have won his fifth title – until the next rider, David Simpson, came in. The athletic stallion took every fence in his stride, jumping the Derby course for the first time as if he had done it 20 times before and setting up the jump-off.