Jack Whitaker cruises to a five-star win in Rome with Izara Des Dames
Monday 01 June 2026
Jack Whitaker left some big names trailing in his wake with a five-star victory in Rome with Adrian Marsh’s Izara Des Dames.
“I was using this class as a warm-up for the Grand Prix and expected a jump-off class, not a speed, but it was giving her another round and I wasn’t expecting to win; it makes the win all the sweeter when you’re not trying hard, and she’s so good and naturally fast, it felt good,” said Jack.
A field of 52 came forward over course-designer Uliano Vezzani’s 12-fence, 15-effort 5* 1.55m speed with three doubles. Drawn 36th in the latter half of the class, Jack smoothly supplied the fastest time of the class on the Emerald x Calvaro FC 12-year-old mare to win by an impressive 1.47 seconds. Ireland’s Tom Wachman came the closest on Kilkenny.
“When I walked the course, it was actually a very big class, but as I was drawn near the end and there were only eight clears at this point, I thought I could do the turns, keep her smooth and it all worked out,” said Jack.
“She’s still very green at the biggest level; she’s had so much success so fast, you almost forget how inexperienced she is, but she was so good here, I don’t think I’ll ever win as much without trying hard – it feels good,” added Jack
Matt Sampson speeds to a four-star win in France
Matt Sampson adopted his usual speedy style to claim victory in the Range Rover Final with Latte Macchiato at CSI4* Cabourg in France.
A big entry of 78 came forward over the 4* 1.45m track with 19 finding the key to qualify for the jump-off. Matt was in determined mode and sped into the top spot on the Pacino x Boherdeal Clover 13-year-old to claim a 0.33 second advantage.
Guy Williams was less than half a second away from winning the 4* 1.50m speed. A field of 74 bid for victory with Guy steering the 11-year-old mare BH Gringos Legacy (Tullibards Bennys Legacy x Colourfield) into second 0.32 seconds behind the winner, Switzerland’s Romain Duget on Del Canto De Boguin.
Millie Allen claimed second place in an 84-strong 4* 1.40m speed with the 10-year-old Lanceola Eickenrode (Grand Slam VDL x Indoctro) almost three seconds off the pace.
Chad Fellows makes a trip to Greece worthwhile with a win
Chad Fellows made a trip to Greece and the CSI3* Thessaloniki - Ippos Club for victory on Creevyquinn Pearl.
Forty-eight competitors contended the 3* 1.45m speed class with Chad setting an early target and holding off all challenges with the 12-year-old Cardento 933 daughter to win by 1.75 sec.
Chad eased Pesgo Adelheid Z into second in the 3* 1.45m 24 hours later. The 63 starters were reduced to 14 for the jump-off, Chad and the Gestion Priamus Z x Chardonnay Z 12-year-old finishing 0.84 seconds off the pace.
Image: Sportfot
