Funnell’s record-breaking Derby win chosen as ‘Moment of the Year’

William Funnell’s record-breaking fifth Hickstead Derby win has been chosen as the ‘Moment of the Year’ by members of the British Equestrian Media Association.

Funnell was presented with an award at the London International Horse Show on Wednesday (18 December), in recognition of his extraordinary win in the Al Shira’aa Derby back in June.

Previously, William held the joint record with four other showjumping greats – Eddie Macken, Harvey Smith, and John and Michael Whitaker – who had all won the Hickstead Derby four times. But in the summer William Funnell set a new record with a fifth win, after he and Dublon came out on top of a jump-off against William Whitaker (Flamboyant) and Brazil’s Carlos Ribas (Juan Van’t Arkelhof).

At the Awards, William said: “Thank you very much for the award, it means a lot. As you get older, you appreciate these moments more because there aren’t going to be that many more of them.”

Though his record is likely to stand for some time, William did tell members of the equestrian press that he has another win in his sights: “If the horse is sound and I’m sound, I could go on to try to make it one more,” he added, putting any retirement rumours to rest for a while at least.

William won his first Hickstead Derby title in 2006 with Cortaflex Mondriaan, with the pair going on to win a further two times (2008 and 2009). A fourth win came courtesy of the homebred Billy Buckingham in 2018, before the record fifth win this year on Dublon.

Dublon, a 13-year-old chestnut gelding, has proved himself to be a real Derby star. As well as his win in the 2024 Al Shira’aa Derby, the horse also jumped clear in 2023 only to finish second in the jump-off to David Simpson and Pjotr Van De Kruishoeve.

Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn said: “Warm congratulations to William for this award, and thank you to the members of the British Equestrian Media Association for voting for Will’s Al Shira’aa Derby win as the moment of the year. The Al Shira’aa Derby holds such a special place in the hearts of showjumping fans, and everyone knows just what an incredible challenge it is to win. For William Funnell to have now won it five times is just a phenomenal achievement, and we’re delighted to see it recognised as such with this award.”

Tickets for this year’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting are on sale now.