Source:  Hickstead News

 

Shane Breen Speeds toVictory on Day Three

Ireland's Shane Breen was the final rider to go in today's Bunn Leisure Speed Derby, and he put in a faultless round to take home the top prize of £6,500. It was the second time Shane has won the class, having finished top in 2008 on board Royal Concorde. This time, riding the 11-year-old chestnut mare Magic Fox, Shane finished on a time of 96.27secs - 3 secs faster than Harriet Nuttall in second place.

"I didn't want to push the mare too hard, but I'm delighted with her," said Shane, who is based at Hickstead.

Somerset-based Harriet Nuttall, 21, credited her hunting background for helping her to navigate her way round the solid Bunn Leisure Speed Derby fences. Harriet described the result as one of 'her
biggest achievements to date'.

Harriet rode her father Rupert's Highland Cruiser II, a 10-year-old bay gelding. Rupert Nuttall is the Master of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt, and won racing's Whitbread Gold Cup in 1997 as an amateur jockey.

Earlier in the day, Peter Charles picked up another major win in the International arena, taking top spot in The Falcon Equine Feeds Derby Trophy. He was on Murka's Nevada, a 10-year-old stallion whom he says is developing into a 'seriously good horse' and could be one of three of his current horses who are medal prospects for the 2012 Olympic Games.