John Whitaker powers to victory in the Winter Grand Prix with Sharid at Aintree Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic II
Monday 27 January 2025
.jpeg "John Whitaker powers to victory in the Winter Grand Prix with Sharid at Aintree Equestrian Centre’s Winter Classic II")
John Whitaker left the best until last, swooping in to take victory in the Winter Grand Prix on Sharid at Aintree Equestrian Centre’s AW Jenkinson Winter Classic II.
“The draw helped me a lot, I knew exactly what I had to do,” said John, who was very proud as on the same day, granddaughter Evie Whitaker (Robert’s daughter) was following in the family dynasty’s footsteps.
“I was concerned regarding the weather warnings as they’d travelled up to Scotland – where it was predicted the storm would be the worst – for the Morris Pony Premier but luckily it turned out for the best. She won the 128cm Second Round to qualify for Hickstead on a pony she’s produced herself.”
A good entry of 50 came forward over course-designer Raf Suarez’s 12-fence track starting at 1.40m with a few early riders incurring time faults until they got the measure of the course. Eleven returned clear rounds to access the jump-off with Ryan Page posting the fastest time of the class on BP Ko Jax in the opening draw. Alas, a pole hit the floor, and it was left to Louise Saywell to jump the first clear on the Calido I x Chacco-Blue nine-year-old Caliblue PS.
Louise’s lead was short-lived as Chris Smith forged ahead by more than two seconds on the 13-year-old Chagalou (Chacco-Blue x Conthargos), a ride of just five weeks, and he comfortably held onto the top spot, until John Whitaker entered the ring.
It was Sharid’s first outing since the London International Horse Show, but he soon showed his class under John’s guidance and, with a deceptively quick round, they crossed the line to win with 0.80 seconds in hand.
“He hadn’t jumped at all since London apart from a couple of days before Aintree, although he was ridden every day, so he was nice and fresh and jumping well,” said John. Going last was a great advantage as there were a few speedy ones in front of me, but they hit a fence, so I knew I didn’t have to go crazy or take too many risks and it all went to plan.”
The Toulon x Vancouleurs 16-year-old Sharid will now head to two shows abroad alongside stablemate Equine America Unick Du Francport aka ‘Frank’.
“We’re going to Sentower Park [Belgium] this week to build up to Hong Kong the week after. Aintree was the first show back since September for Frank as he was off with an injury. I jumped him in the small classes here and all look well,” said John.
Storm Eowyn caused consternation at this Winter Classic and, for Health and Safety reasons, all Friday’s classes were cancelled and the horses staying overnight were
confined to stables. Aintree staff went the extra mile for all, putting on last-minute entertainment and entries were either refunded or transferred with as many classes as possible re-scheduled over the remaining two days, with Saturday’s classes running from 7am – 12pm.
Anthony Condon topped the 1.40m with LMD Marko. Ten of the 25 starters returned for the jump-off with Anthony and the Goodluck VDL x Baloubet Du Rouet 10-year-old jumping into the top spot by 0.17 seconds. James Wilson steered Quality Time of Picobello Z into second with Emily Ward’s Wild Star HF in third.
Kelly Connor emerged triumphant in a battle with fellow Scot Emma Crawford to claim the Winter 1.35m with Glamour Boy H. Twenty-seven starters faced a 12-fence speed track with Kelly and the Toulon x Concorde 14-year-old setting a speedy target in the first third of the draw for the rest of the class to chase. They remained loftily ahead but penultimate drawn Emma chased hard with the 13-year-old Dukes of Hazzard to come within 0.07 seconds to take second place. Chloe Templeton rounded out the Girl Power as she steered Mizzella into third.
Ryan Page was the sole rider to break the 30 second barrier and take victory in the Winter Six-year-old with Uno Beech. Two thirds of the original 18 competitors posted first round clears to make 12 for the jump-off, Ryan and the speedy Uno Beech flying into the top spot to win by 0.97 seconds. The consistent Numero Uno x Balou Du Rouet mare won the Winter Six-year-old and qualified for Hickstead in the SEIB Winter Novice qualifier at Hartpury University. Emily Morris netted second spot on Searlait ML and Abbe Burchmore Eames filled third place aboard Camille Van Twelve Oaks Z.
Chloe Reynolds was firing on all cylinders in the Blue Chip Dynamic B and C as she powered into victory on new ride of one week Hello Picobello Z. Fifty-nine competitors came forward over the 12-fence 1.25/1.30m handicapped single phase track but Chloe had her hand on the top prize from the off, urging the Hardrock Z x Stakkato nine-year-old mare into a 2.12 second win from the Grade C section. Allan Birch claimed second spot with Bold Adventure and Tiggy Croll slipped Claes De Callas Z into third.
Joe Trunkfield powered to the top of the Winter Grade C qualifier over a 12-fence single phase track with the sole double clear on the eight-year-old Corvette VH Reukenis Z (Cicero Z x Corland). Mark Bunting returned the fastest four faults for second on My Lady XI and Seamus Taylor filled third aboard Marzello W.
Derek Morton dominated the 1.25m Winter Championship qualifier with the top two places. Fifteen jumped over this single-phase track, with Derek taking the win on Darcon V & V and slotting Zlatan Z into second, 0.70 seconds separating the two. Nicola Dolan was almost a second in arrears for third on Crannybridge Dallas.
Poppy Deakin proved the quickest in the Blue Chip Calming Performance over a single phase course, flying into the top spot with exactly one second to spare on the Dominator 2000 Z x Cavalier eight-year-old mare Doha Z. Louise Lovegrove netted second place on UCS Double Lait MV Z and third was awarded to Chris O’Bryan riding Louis Van Overis Z.
This show also incorporated the Aintree Young Horse Finals with quality and future promise on display. Anthony Condon headed the Seven-year-old Final with Double M Extrovert, the Maloubet De Pleville gelding topping the 14-horse decider by 0.40 seconds. Drew Walton steered Olivera Z into second and Will Edwards eased Malou L Z into third.
Six of the 31 starters reached the jump-off of the Six-year-old Final with Douglas Duffin claiming the top spot on the Big Star x Zirocco Blue VDL mare Omex Star HBF with 0.74 seconds to spare. Joe Trunkfield slotted Ashdale Baussy into second and Olivia Brightmore finished third on Toronto VGW.
Tony French was crowned Five-year-old champion with El Puerto Du Rona. Eleven of the 20 starters came back in round two, Tony and the Escape Z x Harley VDL mare winning with a 0.53 second advantage. Drew Walton rode Horsedeals Prince Changes into second with Keith Shore’s Riaux D’Emeraud taking third.
Image: Majestic Photography
.jpg "Scott Brash lands the feature Doha Grand Prix and Ben Maher just misses out on Grand Prix victory in The USA as British riders are in winning International form")
