'This is history, not rivalry'

Robert Whitaker lifts the Boomerang Trophy on which his father John, uncle Michael and cousin William – whom he beat in this year's jumpoff – have already etched their names

- ELEANOR JONES

THERE is a new name - at least, a new first name - on the Boomerang Trophy, as Robert Whitaker triumphed in the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby for the first time.

Robert and 19-year-old Gentlemen VH Veldhof jumped the fastest of three four-fault jump-off rounds to finish just ahead of William Whitaker and Flamboyant III, and Sammie-Jo Coffin on Chaccomo Blue in third.

Robert's father John and uncle Michael have each won the Derby four times, and his cousin William once, but Robert had been unlucky - until now.

“I've tried to win a few times, but never really had the right horse,” he said. “I've gone round for four faults before, but years ago. Gentlemen has done it a few times; he was unlucky last year, and has been on great form, so I really knew he had a good chance. And he pulled it off.”

The Derby isa class often won in the first round and clears are hard to come by, so some of the crowd may have been taken by surprise by Sammie-Jo and the 15-year-old she owns with Brian O'Malley, who were first into the ring and flew round without a fault. This must be easy, any newcomers to the class may have thought, as the pair's polished professional performance looked effortless.

But Sammie-Jo then had no doubt a nail-biting wait as the next 18 combinations could not match her; her nearest contenders were on eight faults and seven had been eliminated or retired before Robert came in.

Those who did not complete included Michael Whitaker, who had been eyeing a fifth Derby title with D&H Q Paravatti N, and was making it look easy, but then was unseated when the 13-year-old mare couldn't quite get to the fence at the foot of the bank and stopped.