Shane hunting for second Derby title with Scarteen

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Ireland’s Shane Breen has added another Derby title to his resume when claiming the La Baule Derby on Saturday 10 June.

The 48-year-old rider produced a fantastic round on the 10-year-old grey Scarteen to take home the first prize. “I was second in the La Baule Derby a couple of years ago, so it’s wonderful to take the win,” said Shane.

Breen now returns to the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June) with two excellent Derby horses – the rising star Scarteen, and the 2022 champion Can Ya Makan. He had hoped to bring Golden Hawk, who has been placed in the Derby on numerous occasions including finishing second last summer, but the 18-year-old stallion has been in demand for breeding purposes and the decision was made to bring Scarteen instead.

The gelding (Cardento x Charlotte Z) was born at Hickstead Place, and is very aptly named – Shane Breen grew up hunting in Co Tipperary, and he is a Joint Master of the Scarteen Hunt. Scarteen's dam was competed successfully by Louse Pavitt - Charlotte Z is still part of the Breen Equestrian breeding operation and is currently in foal to Golden Hawk.

“Scarteen was amazing in La Baule and I think he is a strong contender to win the Hickstead Derby too,” added Shane.

Asked who else might have a good chance in the Al Shira’aa Derby, aside from his own two horses, Shane names his brother Trevor Breen with Gonzalo, and four-time champion William Funnell and Equine America Billy Diamo.

The Al Shira’aa Derby takes place on the Sunday of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting (22-25 June). Tickets are on sale now.