Sampson steals the show in Derby Tankard

Britain’s Matt Sampson and Un Secreto Z took the top spot in today’s ClipMyHorse.TV Derby Tankard, the feature class on the opening day of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.

Seven of the 31 starters produced clear rounds to go into the jump-off, with Matt making the most of his penultimate draw to go 1.26sec ahead of John Whitaker and Equine America Unick Du Francport, who finished second.  

It was Matt’s first major Hickstead win since his double of victories in the British Speed Derby in 2017 and 2018. The Yorkshire-born rider has recently returned to West Sussex to set up a new yard near the showground, along with his Canadian fiancée Kara Chad.

“I lived down here when I got my first job, working for Duncan and Claire Inglis, and I’ve always loved it here,” he says. “I’ve always been really welcomed at Hickstead, like I’m part of the family. To be this close and to be able to say Hickstead is now our local show is amazing.”

Matt describes Un Secreto Z as his ‘best horse at the moment’. “I’ve had him for over a year now, and we’ve been slowly building up to these sort of classes. My plan was to bring him here to get experience in this ring, ready for the Agria Royal International Horse Show, where I’ll be hoping to jump him in the Grand Prix.”

The nine-year-old stallion has really grown in confidence recently. “He’s so talented, but he’s very sensitive, so it’s taken quite a while for him to get confident in the ring. So to come here today and be as comfortable and confident as he was, it feels like he’s ready to take the next step,” adds Matt.

With record entries across the show, a huge 91 riders came forward to contest the opening international class, The Stoner Jewellers Vase.

For a while it looked like Welsh rider Mark Edwards might have done enough to secure a back-to-back win, having won this speed class twelve months ago on Flying Tinker II. This time it was another of his homebreds, Tinkers Touch, who put him back into contention with a fast clear.

But although Mark is renowned for being quick against the clock, Joe Fernyhough managed to shave an impressive 2.28sec off Mark’s time to take the win with Calcourt Countdown, giving the 25-year-old rider his first International Arena win.

The 10-year-old homebred mare Calcourt Countdown has taken a bit of time to come into her own, according to Joe, who described her as a somewhat unruly five-year-old.

“I didn’t ride her until she was seven, but this year she’s really gone up a level, and has been on very consistent form for the past two months,” he says.

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting runs from the 18-21 June. Tickets are available online, or the event can be watched live on ClipMyHorse.TV.

For full results, click here.