“I THINK shock and amazement is what’s going around the eventing world – I haven’t won an advanced for a very long time,” said William Fox-Pitt after his victory on Amanda Gould’s Grafennacht.
The 14-time five-star winner – who only has one top-level horse these days and was never one to rack up numerous oneday wins even in his heyday – admitted that he “got a rocket” from his wife Alice for going too slow when leading at Thoresby.
“And I thought it would be good to get my eye in here going faster before Badminton,” said William. “Alec Lochore had done a great job with the course and the ground was superb so I had no excuse.”
Grafennacht was bred by Susan Eggleton out of her prolific national winner Nachtigall and produced by Tom Jackson, and joined William at the end of her five-year-old year. Second at Maryland five-star in October, she returns to Badminton after 14th there last year.
Like Ros Canter’s Badminton and European champion Lordships Graffalo, “Lillie” is by Grafenstolz.
“She’s got a big day in her. I keep telling her to look at her brother – they are the same age, 12, and as they were coming along I thought we’d got our work cut out to keep up,” said William. “But she’s a lovely, easy horse and a tough old soul.”
If the mare has a weakness, it’s the fact she “can flick a pole and not worry much about it” and William has been having help from Jay Halim, who has a showjumper to ride for Grafennacht’s owner Amanda.
2024 HOPEFULS ON FORM
Denne historien er fra April 18, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 18, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
