Shane Breen has had a fantastic competition at Hickstead Derby Meeting, heading up a RED MILLS takeover with 34 top ten placings over the four-day show.
The results came rolling in from day one with RED MILLS riders claiming 6 wins, 24 top five placings plus a further 10 top ten results.
Both Jake Saywell and Scott Brash claimed top spots on day one. Jake and his stable star Havinia De Roshoeve came first in the Hickstead U25 Masters 1st Leg whilst fellow RED MILLS rider Michael Duffy took fourth with Cassis and fifth with Mafia.
Joe Clayton and David Simpson kicked off proceedings in the 1.40m Astore & Son Speed Derby, claiming 4th and 7th place respectively with Carolus K and Doctor Proctor. Shane Breen then started his winning spree in the Hickstead Annual Grade C Championship with Z Seven Caretina, closely followed by Trevor Breen and Feliano B in second spot. Shane also pipped Trevor to fourth place riding Z Seven Diamond with Trevor claiming fifth aboard Franklin I.
Scott Brash and Hello Shelby won the 1.50m Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard on Thursday afternoon, followed by Joe Clayton’s second placing of the day with Via VD Karmenhoek Z as they took third.
The 1.60m Bunn Leisure Derby Trial on Friday saw a one, two, three for RED MILLS riders with Shane Breen and Can Ya Makan just pipping Holly Smith and Hearts Destiny to first place. Harriet Nuttall and A Touch Imperious continued their amazing Hickstead form to claim third spot whilst Elizabeth Power and Doonaveeragh O One came in eighth.
It was Michael Duffy’s turn to come in the top three in the 1.45m U25 Masters on Saturday with Cassis taking third place and Mafia 8th. Shane added another win to his tally with Clyde VA in the 1.50m Hickstead Master’s Trophy with Joe Clayton hot on his heels for second with Via VD Karmenhoek Z. Joe also took home fourth with PLS Halo Diamond whilst Scott Brash came in sixth with Hello Senator. Harriet added another Hickstead result to her list with a fifth aboard Silver Lift in the British Speed Derby.
Nicole Pavitt kicked off Sunday with first, fifth and sixth in the Beethoven 7 & 8 Year Old Championship with Paris 16, Gianni HC and HC Cornet whilst Joe claimed fourth with Dewpoint Diamond. Colmar II and Z Seven Ascot took seventh and eighth for Shane Breen.
Finally, the famous Derby with its iconic obstacles rolled around on Sunday afternoon, the one everyone had been waiting for! Holly Smith was one of just two to jump clear in the first round, seeing her into the jump off and claiming second place. Harriet’s super consistency in the Derby saw her claim another third place after an unfortunate foot in the water and she tied with Shane Breen who also had four faults after knocking fence 14.
A huge well done to all RED MILLS riders competing this weekend!
