Simpson eyes second Derby title after ideal Trial run

The 2023 Al Shira’aa Derby winner David Simpson and Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve laid down the gauntlet for a repeat win with a superb victory in the Agria Derby Trial.

Today’s feature class set the scene for what could be one of the most competitive renewals of the Al Shira’aa Derby in years, with a strong contingent of 45 riders coming forward for the Trial, which acts as a qualifier for the Derby itself.

With 19 jumping efforts and a time allowed of just under 2min, the Agria Derby Trial is longer than most international showjumping classes, and normally there are only a few clears each year. But this year, six combinations produced first round clears to go through to the jump-off.

Last year’s Al Shira’aa Derby runner up William Whitaker (Flamboyant III) opted not to jump for a second time to save his horse for Sunday, while last year’s Agria Derby Trial winner Guy Williams also chose not to jump-off with the talented BH Gringos Legacy, leaving four to contest the final honours in this World Ranking class.

Ireland’s Stephan Dubsky was the pathfinder in the second round, but when his horse C The Stars knocked the Derby rails, it gave the others some breathing space. Event rider Alex Bragg and the grey mare Hegglelane Houston was next, and they produced the first of the double clears to take the lead.

But Ireland’s David Simpson matched the clear on his former Derby champion Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve, using the horse’s effortless pace and long stride to knock nearly 6sec off Alex’s time. Last to go was fellow Irishman Derek McCoppin and the eyecatching grey Capital Levubu, but a fence down dropped them to fourth, with David taking the Trial for the first time since winning on Gotti Van Paemel in 2016.

Pjotr was just eight when he won the Hickstead Derby, and now at 11 he is one of the favourites for Sunday’s feature class having shown some excellent form of late, including a first and second in the Hamburg Derby qualifiers in May. “He’s been in great shape for the last couple of weeks – he was unbelievable in Hamburg and in St. Gallen,” said David, who is based in West Sussex.

Only one rider has won the Derby Trial outright and the Derby on the same horse in the same year, and that’s five-time champion William Funnell. He won both classes in 2006 with Cortaflex Mondriaan, then was a joint winner of the Trial and won the Derby in 2024 with Dublon.

Now Simpson hopes to emulate Funnell by competing this remarkable double. “The horse cannot feel any better. I think it's down to me not messing up on Sunday!” David added.

Runner-up Alex Bragg, who is a five-star event rider, has enjoyed plenty of success at Hickstead in recent years, including a win in the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge. He made a successful debut with Hegglelane Houston in last year’s Al Shira’aa Derby, and this year has a good chance of improving on his 12 fault debut.

Alex paid tribute to David Simpson, for allowing him to train round his Derby course at his yard near the showground.

“I've got to say a big thank you to David, because I hadn’t jumped on grass this year with this mare, so I gave him a call on Monday and asked if I could stop by his place to have a little trip around his Derby fences, and he was kind enough to say yes!”

Ireland's Richard Howley and Caprice D'Elle saw off nearly 80 rivals to win the Hickstead Derby Two Phase, which brought the day's action to a close. 

Mark Edwards had set the pace from his draw of fourth to go, crossing the finish line on the homebred Tinkers Touch in 34.64sec. For some time it looked like the Welshman was going to take the title, until Richard Howley knocked him off the top spot with a time of 34sec.

Richard has been riding Caprice D'Elle, a 14-year-old son of Arko III, for six months, and recently bought him for his stable HK Horses. "He is a very versatile horse. He can win a Grand Prix, he can win a speed class, and he absolutely loves to go against the clock. It’s great to have him in the stable."     

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.

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