A Touch Imperious to be retired at Hickstead

One of Hickstead’s most popular and consistent horses will be retired on Sunday (23 June), shortly before the 62nd Al Shira’aa Derby.

Harriet Biddick’s horse A Touch Imperious (known in the stable as Henry) will be officially retired from competition, after a impressive career that saw him finish runner-up in the Derby five times, with a further two third placings. Together, Harriet and A Touch Imperious have won nearly £117,000 in prize money from this class alone.

“A Touch Imperious may not have won the Al Shira’aa Derby, but he is one of the most consistent horses in the history of the class,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “We are really sad to see his remarkable career draw to a close, but we’re touched that Harriet has chosen the All England Jumping Course – the scene of so many of his best moments – as the location for his retirement ceremony.”

Harriet had been hoping to have a final crack at winning the Al Shira’aa Derby, after coming second in 2022. A minor injury ruled him out of last year’s contest, and this year she felt he wasn’t quite back to full fitness.

“He is 20 now, and he owes us nothing,” said Harriet. “He’s got a fantastic record in the class, and I want to keep it that way. He’s jumped some nice clears recently and has been feeling good, but I didn’t want to jump him in the Derby unless he felt one thousand percent. I know it’s going to be emotional, but it’s a real honour to be able to retire him at Hickstead, it’s like home to him.”

Harriet’s father Rupert bought A Touch Imperious from Ireland as a young horse, and Harriet produced him up through the levels. As well as his stellar record in the Al Shira’aa Derby, A Touch Imperious was the joint winner of the 2022 Derby Trial. Harriet and him were part of the British team on several Nations Cups, including at the Final in Barcelona in 2018, and they came third in the five-star Grand Prix in St Gallen that same year.  

A Touch Imperious’ retirement ceremony will take place shortly before the Parade of Riders in the Al Shira’aa Derby. Tickets are available at the gate or online.