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.
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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.