Working hunter specialist Rory Gilsenan (pictured) emphasises the importance of riding to a fence in a flowing, forward fashion, without interfering with the horse, to gain top style marks

KENLIS CARRERA exhibited by Rory Gilsenan, winner of the Working Hunter Championship during the Royal Windsor Horse Show private grounds of Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the county of Berkshire, UK on 10th May 2018

Aim

Being a producer of working hunter horses and training a lot of younger jockeys from the working hunter pony world, I know how important it is to jump a clear round. However, unlike in showjumping, working hunter competitors have a valuable style mark to ride for. While with every pole down in the round you can lose 10 marks, style is marked out of 20 marks. Theoretically, it is possible to make up marks if the judge likes the flow of your round and jumping technique of your horse. This exercise is about training the eye, so you can travel to each fence with minimum adjustment while maintaining a forward rhythm.

The exercise

1. Set up a small upright at the end of the arena. Put six poles placed four yards apart after the fence. At the end of the pole line, build an oxer.

2. Approach the upright in a forward, balanced canter. I usually ride five strides before the upright. Jump in, and let the poles do all the work. When riding the line, concentrate on the jump at the end and your position in the saddle. The poles should mean you can ride the line without having to kick or pull.

3. You can also put a V-pole on the oxer to make the horse jump in a rounder shape, helping him to be more careful with his front end.

4. Once mastered, try a single fence in the same forward rhythm. I always start the round by jumping the upright to poles to oxer line, then come to the single fence after.

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Tips and pitfalls

  • Remember, if a horse touches one pole off behind, I would not be as harsh with the style marks as I would be if he crashes a pole out with his front leg — if this was done out hunting, you would have a bad fall. Judging a working hunter is about finding the most valuable hunter in the ring.
  • Don’t add strides that aren’t there — if I saw someone add a stride down a related distance, I would deduct style marks as they clearly don’t trust the horse.
  • It may be a simple exercise, but I find it helpful, both in my own training as well as during lessons.
  • Using placing poles in such a way means you can be more mindful of your own position and how the horse is jumping.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. Plus the latest issue, out now (dated 28 March 2019), features our showing special

#SundaySchool: controlling the canter with Jessica Mendoza

The international showjumper uses a canter-on-a-circle exercise to help develop balance and control, which can be used in the ring

Spirit T MENDOZA Jessica

Aim

I do this canter exercise regularly, with horses of all ages and abilities. The older and more experienced the horse, the more difficult you can make it. With younger horses, it can be quite a demanding exercise as they might not have developed any brakes yet. For a green horse, I might start off with two poles, one at three o’clock and one at nine o’clock, then add in the third and fourth when they are ready.

It’s a good way of teaching the horse to be soft and carry himself, while being responsive to the control you are asking for.

This exercise also helps riders with their ring rhythm, which is important because they go from forwards to backwards strides frequently. It also teaches the rider to see a stride while not over-jumping their horse.

Exercise

1. Lay out four poles, one at each quarter of a 20-30m circle. Don’t make the circle too small because you don’t want to make it too difficult for the horse. For young or inexperienced horses, start with one pole at a quarter of the circle and build up to four poles.

2. Next, canter six strides between each pole on the circle. Aim to make the strides between the poles exactly the same, in a consistent rhythm. You want the horse engaged, listening and remaining on the same line. It’s also important that you stay in the centre of each pole and don’t cut across, and that the horse is straight through his body.

3. Then start to change the strides between the poles, so do five between one set and six between the next, so that you are riding five, six, five, six. When asking for longer or shorter strides, you need to be smooth and gradual. For longer strides, use your leg and hand to keep the horse soft, then add a gradual leg aid and allow with the hand. To come back to a working stride, lean back and apply a little pressure with your legs, rather than forcing with the hand.

4. Then ride five strides between each pole, and then six between each pole around the entire circle.

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Tips and pitfalls

  • Always have a plan in your head of what you’re going to do before you do it.
  • If your horse jumps to the left or right over the poles, it will affect the distance to the next pole, so be consistent in where you land after each pole. Having the horse straight means you can set yourself up nicely for the next pole.
  • Horses can become disunited, so if this happens bring them back to trot and re-canter.
  • Build the exercise up gradually so that your horse learns what you want.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.

A charity run to remember showjumper Tim Stockdale, who died of cancer last year at the age of 54, will take place at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show.

The event will be held on the Saturday night (27 July) of the fixture to raise money for the Tim Stockdale Foundation.

Teams of up to 10 people are being sought for the new race, 10forTim, which will be run as a relay around the perimeter road of the Longines International Arena.

Each runner will tackle a half-mile lap, which they can sprint, run or amble round at their own speed.

While competitors can opt for a leisurely pace, there will be prizes for the team that crosses the finish line first.

In order to take part, teams must raise a minimum of £2,500 in sponsorship, with the team that raises the most money also being in line for a prize.

Participants will be given the opportunity to race well-known faces from the equestrian world, including Shane and Trevor Breen, William and Pippa Funnell, Philip Judge, commentators Steven Wilde and Nick Brooks-Ward and a team from the All-England jumping course.

Tim Stockdale was one of the most popular figures in show jumping, with an impressive CV that included representing Britain at the Beijing Olympics, as well as numerous appearances on championship and nations cup teams.

Out of a long career, he said one of his proudest moments was his victory in the King George V Gold Cup aboard Fresh Direct Kalico Bay at the Royal International meeting in 2010.

A spokesman for Hickstead said: “Tim was a superb ambassador for his sport, not just as a rider but also as a respected trainer and broadcaster.

“Sadly, Tim died last November aged 54, just a month after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. It was a huge loss to the showjumping world, but his remarkable legacy is living on through The Tim Stockdale Foundation, which was set up to help support causes that were close to Tim’s heart.

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“The Bunn family, with the support of Tim’s wife Laura and their sons Joe and Mark, are inviting as many people as possible to take part in the race or to come along to cheer on the runners.

“The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the Longines Royal International Horse Show always attracts many of the best riders in the world, and it’s hoped plenty will pay tribute to their colleague Tim by taking part in the race. And if you’re an equestrian fan who has dreamed of competing against — or even better, possibly beating — your favourite riders, then now is your chance.”

Teams of 10 who can guarantee to pledge the £2,500 charity donation can contact Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn on lizzie@hickstead.co.uk to apply.

To sponsor the Hickstead team, visit the JustGiving page.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

An eventer hopes to combat nastiness and bullying in the equestrian community by spreading positivity and support in a new online campaign.

East Sussex-based Jake Tarrant, a grassroots eventer who works with rehabilliated horses who have suffered psychological issues, created the ‘Good Sport’ initiative which aims to promote positivity among equestrians by using the hashtags #buddydontbully and #equestriansrethink. Jake started the campaign after seeing a post on a Facebook group that he believes incited bullying against an individual.

“The post was put up by an admin of the group and I thought to myself ‘this is wrong’. These groups are supposed to be forums for people to exchange ideas but they’re run by little groups of people who then dictate the morals and the moral compass of the group,” Jake told H&H.

“I thought it’s time for a different way and came up with the concept of the Good Sport initiative. By using hashtags anyone can search and view them so anybody that feels they would like to share their achievements within the equestrian community online can post what they’ve done on their own page with the hashtag, and like-minded individuals who want to see positivity can then encourage people to develop and improve – rather than tearing them down with negativity.”

Jake, who has suffered with depression and anxiety in the past, said social media has given people a place to say negative things without thinking them through.

“I’ve suffered with mental health problems and through those periods you interpret what people say and react to it in ways you wouldn’t necessarily do when you’re healthy,” he said.

“The internet has put this magical screen between people so people can say what they want. They may not mean it nastily but they don’t think about the consequence of what they’re saying and who they might be saying it to. It’s almost become a game of who can be the most shocking and they get more dramatic and offensive in their replies.”

Jake said he has seen an increase in nastiness and negativity in the equestrian community.

“Someone will achieve something fantastic for them, it might be their own personal success – be it getting back on a horse they’ve not been able to ride for the last six months because they’ve been too scared, or winning Badminton. But there will always be someone that wants to tear them down rather than appreciate it with them,” he said.

“If the equestrian world can have more of a social conscience then it can safeguard itself against negativity and bullying. It’s not always just online – you see it at competitions. Often it comes from insecurities or someone wants to achieve something and they can’t but they see someone else achieve it and rather than say well done, they belittle them and make derogatory remarks because that person has proven it is possible. It’s easier to belittle them than praise them.”

Jake says the Good Sport initiative has received a very positive reaction online and to celebrate the launch they have created a competition with Flying Changes Coaching, Equivation and Maxima Equestrian to reward positivity with prizes.

“Companies and social media influencers have been in touch who want to support it the campaign which is great. I get lots of messages from people who are still too embarrassed to post on social media their little achievements but they might send them to me so they’re sharing it with someone and that’s really uplifting. I’ve organised the competition to get more people sharing positive stories and try to keep the momentum moving forward,” he said.

“On Instagram I am also going to be doing a 30-day positivity challenge with Gracie Tyte, of @Pony_Nuts. Gracie has a big following of kids and teenagers who should be encouraged to be proud of what they’re doing rather than feel that they can’t share it. Online bullying is a huge thing for teenagers, you see it on the news on such a regular basis so we want to try and encourage the younger generation as well as adults.”

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Jake said people should be able to enjoy their horses without judgement from others.

“Horses are so emotionally draining – we put so much into them; our health, money, time, everything, and we should be able to enjoy them without worrying what people are thinking of us,“ he said.

“I’m not naïve enough to believe that just because somebody gets irritated seeing negativity on the internet and decides they want to try and change it that it will – it’s not as simple as that, but if we put the effort in and it makes a difference to one person or three people, then it’s still worth the effort.”

People interested in the campaign can follow Jake at Little Bentley Eventing on Facebook and by sharing posts on their own pages with the #buddydontbully and #equestriansrethink.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Ruth Edge began her equestrian career in eventing with many wins at the highest level, including the Luhmühlen CCI4* (now five-star) in 2007 with Two Thyme. She has always been passionate about dressage and since 2016 has made this her focus. With her sights firmly set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she already has six national titles to her name. She is based at the Foston Stud, near Uttoxeter, where she trains competition horses and teaches. Here, the eventer turned dressage rider suggests some easy exercises to help develop your horse’s trot

Training the stars

  • I had a dressage horse, Zero, who had a very ordinary trot as a young horse, but I always had the feeling there was a “big trot” in him somewhere. Having developed in strength and suppleness, by the time he was seven he had a medium trot that had so much scope, he felt amazingly powerful and light.
  • One horse I evented, Carnaval Prince II, had a “pony trot”, not helped by the fact he was rather nervous in the arena. As he became more confident, he was able to show off his medium trot, producing consistently high-scoring percentages.

For a horse to be able to lengthen his stride, he needs to be engaged, supple, in front of the leg, straight and have a back-to-front connection maintained by being ridden between the hand and the leg.

Not many horses have an amazing trot by nature, so our job is to train them to be the best they can be. Try these exercises…

Tackling the issue

1. Trot in a figure of eight with straight lines across the diagonal, ensuring the trot feels the same on the half-circle and diagonal. Often, the trot loses rhythm and cadence across the diagonal, so keep your leg on as you would on the circle and ensure you are completely straight.

Pick a point across the arena and head straight for it. Ride your horse from both legs into both reins, concentrate on what you are feeling under you and focus on the rhythm and balance of the trot. This will help with his self-carriage and straightness.

2. Ride a 20-metre circle or on the track. Begin in working trot, riding forwards into medium trot then back to working trot over short distances, using the transitions to help with the engagement.

Repeat this several times so he picks up the exercise, then let him have a walk break.

3. If your horse is further on in his training, a good exercise is to go from shoulder-fore (less angle than shoulder-in) into medium trot and back to shoulder-fore. This will help with the engagement in the transitions as well as the medium trot.

Make sure that you ride forwards into the downward transitions, you are straight for the medium trot and that your horse is supple and engaged in the shoulder-fore.

4. The final exercise is to make small tempo changes within the trot. Aim for a transition every 10 strides. They do not have to be big differences within the trot — the feeling that there is more available energy is important.

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Consider this…

  • The three most important things that people struggle with in these exercises are lack of engagement, suppleness and straightness.
  • Always ride forwards in each exercise, even when you bring your horse back to working trot from medium trot. You should feel he is working through from engaged hindquarters into a consistent contact and is connected between both legs and both reins. His hindleg should directly follow the footprints of the front leg. If you’re crooked in the working trot, the medium is going to be the same.
  • When transitioning up into medium trot, sit up — avoid losing the connection by leaning forwards, hoping your horse will come with you.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine out every Thursday

#CobsCan: Irish cob clears 1.80m puissance wall

An Irish cob has wowed the audience at Claremorris Agricultural show in Ireland at the weekend, by clearing 1.80m in the puissance.

Tara Brandon and her nine-year-old gelding Crosswell Blue faced stiff competition from showjumpers to take joint second place along with Shane Goggins, Adrian McElroy, Gavin Daly and Wesley Ryan. Lee Carey won the puissance at 1.90m on Joan Fallon’s French Touch.

Tara, who has owned Blue since he was a yearling, told H&H: “I didn’t think it would go so high and I didn’t think the show would be as big as it was!

“He’s never jumped anything that high. He competes up to 1.25 showjumping — he’s just a freak. He’s a freak of nature because he’s heavy, with hooves the size of dinner plates and he’s as athletic as any blood horse.”

Blue is out of a 14.2hh coloured cob and by a Clydesdale stallion.

“He definitely is not bred to jump — I think the jump must come from the pony,” Tara said. “He’s so brave so I will absolutely try some more puissances, he’s just so scopey. I pulled up at the 1.90m. I wish I had given him a better ride but when it went up to 1.90m I thought ‘oh my god!’ I think he has more in him, but I just need to get braver so we can find out — I’m an amateur and he’s a cob.

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Tara hopes Blue’s video will show that cobs are just as capable in the showjumping ring.

“A lot of people pre-judge cobs. I know when I went into the warm-up, people thought ‘look at the hairy cob’! Cobs are extremely talented but they are judged; I just want the world to know cobs can do it just as well as blood horses.

“I would never part with him. I trust that horse with my life which is mad, but I really do. I’m so proud of him; he’s such an honest genuine horse.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Pack up and move in to this home in south west Wales, which could be the perfect haven for any horse lover. And the best thing? It’s recently been reduced in price…

Nestled in Glandwr, Whitland, the property is situated in 68 acres of prime Pembrokshire countryside in a National Park (which includes full grazing rights across the surrounding mountainside and beyond).

Elevated above road level, you can enjoy views across Carmarthen and the Brecon Beacons, which offer glorious hacking.

Equestrian centres in the area include Hafod Farm Stables (5 miles), Shiral EC (11 miles) and Moor Farm EC (25 miles).

Two cross-county courses within an hour’s drive can be found at Ynysymond Stables and Cambrian XC.

Carmarthen College hosts regular show jumping competitions, and is 22 miles away.

During the hunting season you can either head out with the Carmarthenshire or the Llandeilo Farmers.

Carmarthen County Show (19 miles) is your local summer fixture and you’re a 1hr 30min drive from Builth Wells, host of the legendary Royal Welsh Show.

This equestrian property is on the market for £750,000 and is being offered for sale by Fine & Country – it appears the owners are looking to sell so here is a chance to grab yourself a real bargain before it’s too late.

Let’s have a look around…

There is 68 acres of quality farmland, which has been used for grazing, as well as a fruit and vegetable garden and a small orchard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently, the pristine yard has four stables with half doors, a tack room, a covered gated stable area, a hayloft, a workshop, and equipment storage room. The yards and courtyards all have new gates and fencing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With recently built outbuildings including tractor and cattle sheds, there is plenty of scope for indoor stable blocks and arenas, subject to planning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The house is an equally impressive setup. Completed in 2000, the five-bed home was custom designed and built for the current owners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The heart of the home is the kitchen, which includes a centre island, ample storage and an integral dishwasher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cosy lounge, complete with reclaimed mahogany floor, slate hearth and wood burner, leads through into the conservatory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will be able to keep everyone entertained with this purpose-built snooker room housing a full size competition snooker table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When can we move in?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

This week’s edition (31 May) is a training special, including a look at the world’s top trainers and whether you should have multiple coaches. Also check out our summer clothing guide, interview with showjumper and recent winner of the Hamburg Derby, Matt Sampson and feature on health problems in miniature horse.

Blue Cross equine centre under lockdown due to strangles

Blue Cross Timmy Tiptoes

Blue Cross Burford’s equine unit is currently under lockdown after a rescued Shetland showed signs of strangles a month after arrival.

Skewbald youngster Little Timmy Tiptoes had already undergone the standard four-week isolation period for new arrivals when he showed signs of illness.

The 90cm Shetland was suffering from a severe nasal discharge and had a dangerously high temperature of 41 degrees.

After being admitted to the local veterinary practice as an emergency, he was screened for strangles and both a blood test and a nasal swab proved positive. He was also suffering from anaemia, which has compromised his ability to fight the infection.

The pony was originally rescued by the RSPCA before being taken in by the Oxfordshire rehabilitation and rehoming centre last month.

Blue Cross Burford’s horse manager Vicki Alford said: ““On arrival Timmy was in a really sad state. He had overgrown and curled up hooves, was riddled with lice and very underweight.

“The transporter who brought him to Burford described the place where he was found as horrific — apparently there was no food or water and they were stood in mud up to their tummies. How they survived is anyone’s guess.”

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Following Timmy’s diagnosis, the Blue Cross implemented their disease outbreak protocol to prevent the strangles from spreading.

The highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection is transmitted though direct contact with an infected horse or indirectly through contamination in the surrounding area.

The equine section of the Burford centre is currently closed to the public, with strict biosecurity measures in place. The small animal centre for dogs, cats and small pets remains open.

“Timmy is now back at the Burford Centre and is much brighter. His temperature is back to normal and the nasal discharge has cleared but he’s not out of the woods yet,” Vicky added.

“He is in still in isolation, but we hope our stringent bio-security will have stopped an outbreak it in its tracks and that the horse unit will be up and running again soon.”

17 wonderful winners who shone at Devon County

531 – BRACKEN OF ALLTNACAILLEACH, Highland Champion

With the summer season well under way, one of the first county ‘biggies’ for the showing community to flock to in search of an early Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) ticket and a jolly good day out was Devon.

Held over three days (17 — 19 May), the annual fixture saw some old faces return to reclaim their top spots, while some young jockeys also came to the fore.

Check out these 17 show ring winners…

1.Moortown Crusader

The Jordan family’s prolific Dartmoor stallion re-secured the Cuddy in-hand title and a HOYS ticket, a crown he also won last year.

2. Brimclose Flaming Amber

Lillia Adams led the coloured mare to the young handler championship.

3. Dharmavallye

Charlotte Clarke’s elegant hunter was ladies victor with producer Jayne Ross in the saddle.

4. Bracken Of Alltnacailleach

After a second at the Royal Windsor, Rhi Randall’s Highland stallion came to the fore to claim his breed championship.

5. Pride Of Place

The eight-year-old gelding bagged his HOYS ticket in the lightweight division before going onto win the hunter section title, under Robert Walker.

6. Woodview Shangri-La

The picture perfect pairing of Sam Laity and this show pony landed the mini title.

7. Treehill Aristotle

Aimee Stunt secured part-bred Arab victory with the bay gelding.

8. Runnon Daisy May

After standing Ottergayle supreme last season, this nine-year-old mare stepped back into the show ring to win the hack breeding title for Emma Edwards-Brady.

9. It’s The King’s Speech

It was a middleweight red for Ian Smeeth…

10. Royal Engagement

… but it was Claire Oliver and the second placed lightweight who took reserve in the hunter championship.

11. Blackertor Magneto

The seasoned Shetland took the in-hand breed title.

12. Carnsdale Cracker Jack

Chantel Searle rode her own gelding to clinch the show hunter pony tricolours.

13. Strawberryfields Prime Spirt

Freyja Rafferty was lead rein of hunter type winner.

14. Kiss N Tell

Jamie Frost was at the head of the sports horse champion.

15. Paddock Marquis

The big moving stallion triumphed in the Welsh section B championship.

16. Anchorman

A HOYS ticket followed a cracking clear round for Mel Hennah and her working hunter winner.

17. Dunloughan

Holly Simms and her dun gelding jumped their way to the 153cm class and the overall working hunter pony honours.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Powerhouse Godolphin claim first Investec Derby success

Masar (blue) wins under William Buick. Credit: Bill Selwyn

The famous blue silks of Godolphin dominated today’s Investec Derby at Epsom Downs (Saturday, 2 June), as William Buick steered the Charlie Appleby-trained Masar to victory — giving Sheikh Mohammed’s powerhouse a long-awaited first success in the prestigious Group One race.

On the lead up to the big race, the focus was on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Saxon Warrior — this year’s 2000 Guineas victor who went off the 4/5 favourite.

However, under Ryan Moore, the Ballydoyle colt experienced some traffic problems during the race and was never a threat to the leaders, finishing fourth.

The eventual winner — a 16/1 shot — stayed on well and had a clear run up to the finishing line on the stands’ side, holding off runner-up Dee Ex Bee (Silvestre De Sousa) by one-and-a-half lengths, with Roaring Lion (Oisin Murphy) in third.

“All I could think of in the last furlong was that I wanted to be the first trainer to win the Derby in the Godolphin blue,” said Charlie Appleby, who also trained the second-placed Wild Illusion in yesterday’s Investec Oaks.

“It was a fantastic team effort. Brett Doyle rides him every day — we just wanted to get him to switch off and we thought he’d stay. William [Buick] has given him a brilliant ride, but the last 100 yards seemed a long time.

“It still hasn’t sunk in and it probably won’t for days or even weeks. I was always just hoping the door was going to open for us this season and, to be honest, I did think it was going to be yesterday [in the Oaks],” he added.

William Buick, meanwhile, was enjoying his first taste of Derby success, having come close on occasions before.

“I’ve had a few rides in the race and I’ve come close a couple of times,” he said. “I know that some jockeys have ridden in the Derby more times without winning it, however, I often asked myself if my time would ever come. To do it for Sheikh Mohammed and his family — in the famous blue colours — is special, they are loyal supporters of mine and I’m very happy to be part of it all,” William added.

“Masar stayed the trip and travelled beautifully today. The Guineas didn’t happen for him but he’s a very good horse and the team believed in him.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment since I wanted to become a jockey, this is everything. A ‘Derby-winning rider’ — it sounds very good.”

O’Brien’s Oaks success

Aidan O’Brien may have missed out on this year’s Investec Derby victory, however, Forever Together’s brilliant four-and-a-half length win in the Investec Oaks (Friday, 1 June) was a seventh in the fillies’ mile-and-a-half Classic for the top trainer.

Forever Together was ridden by Aidan’s son Donnacha, who won the 2000 Guineas aboard Saxon Warrior last month.

The daughter of Galileo is out of the Theatrical mare Green Room — also dam of Group One winner Lord Shanakill — and she is the first maiden to win the Investec Oaks since Sun Princess in 1983.

Don’t miss the full report from the Investec Derby Festival in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June.