Attendance up at iconic show as British rider takes the spoils.
Visitors to Hickstead’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting were up by 15% on last year.
With 48,300 visiting the show across four days (20 – 23 June), its three grandstands were packed and hospitality places sold out over the weekend.
The Hickstead crowd’s enthusiasm appeared to be reflected around its retail areas where 105 stands were trading.
“General feedback was that they had a fantastic show,” said Rebecca Swann, head of operations.
“A few said it was even better than Badminton, which has never been said before.”
The show’s highlight, the Derby - held every year since 1961 – produced a popular winner with William Funnell scoring a record fifth victory, this time with Dublon.
The action returns to Hickstead later this month (23 – 28 July) for the Royal International Horse Show.