SINCE the master of Hickstead Douglas Bunn held the first Hickstead Derby in 1961, the class has attracted a succession of the world's leading athletes and horses to tackle its notorious fences, from the fiendishly difficult Devil's Dyke to the world-renowned 10ft 6in Bank. Clear rounds are remarkably hard to achieve, so what does it take?
The 2022 winner Shane Breen, who returns for this year's Al Shira'aa Derby with nine-year-old stallion Fanfan De Beaufour and catch ride, Eve McCoy's Nows The Time, shares his insight.
“There's nothing quite like trotting into the International Arena at Hickstead to compete in this special class,” says Shane, who won with the sole clear on Can Ya Makan two years ago. “Many experienced horses rise to the occasion, but when the crowd applauds it's natural for them to get a bit anxious – they know it's showtime. So from a rider's point of view, you are trying to get them settled and relaxed before the bell rings for you to start.”
FENCE 1
THE CORNISHMAN (4FT 8IN/1.42M)
“HORSES don't normally spook at a fence like this; even Derby newcomers will have jumped a similar brick wall. But
