Al Shira’aa Derby completes record week at Hickstead

Hickstead’s iconic Al Shira’aa Derby brought a fantastic week of competition to a close (Sunday 21 June).

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting attracted record entries this year, with more than 2000 horses competing across the five day of the show, jumping a total of 4424 competition rounds. Every stable was sold out, with more than 900 horses stabled on the showground during the event. 

Hospitality spaces and coveted ringside parking spaces were fully booked on Saturday and Sunday, with advance ticket sales up across the week. Saturday saw packed grandstands for the feature class, the British Speed Derby, thought the start of the heatwave on Sunday did lead to a slight drop in gate admission. 

Those who did watch the Al Shira’aa Derby were treated to a superb competition. The 64th Derby came down to a battle of two former champions – with William Whitaker (Flamboyant III) lifting the Boomerang Trophy ahead of Ireland’s David Simpson (Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve). It was a second Derby title for William, who first won 10 years previously with Glenavadra Brilliant. 

“What a wonderful week we’ve had, and what a Derby,” said Hickstead Executive Director Edward Bunn afterwards. “I think it was another classic Derby. This class is still so important – it’s special to us, to Hickstead and to the world, to produce fantastic sport like this.”

Edward also expressed gratitude to the title sponsor, Al Shira’aa. The UAE-based stables, founded by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been the title sponsor of the Hickstead Derby since 2017. Al Shira’aa now sponsors a number of high-profile equestrian classes and events around the world, including the King George V Gold Cup at next month’s Agria Royal International Horse Show. 

“I’d like to thank Al Shira’aa Stables, Sheikha Fatima and Sami Kettle for the support they continue to show this meeting, because without them and our other sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to put these shows on,” Edward added. 

The action continues at Hickstead at the Agria Royal International Horse Show (22-26 July), with iconic competitions such as the Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup, the JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and the Ashby Underwriting Eventers’ Challenge. The British team will be taking part in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, which takes place on Friday 24 July. Tickets are on sale now. 

Fenwick Photography