Mark Edwards’ superstar Dillinger NE had never seen a Derby fence before Thursday – but looked as though he’d been jumping them all his life as he cruised to win the 2026 Hickstead Speed Derby by over four seconds.
Mark and his father Martyn’s 11-year-old, who has excelled in every type of class, jumped clear in 97.43sec, ahead of Sammie-Jo Coffin and Big Star of Follyfoot Z and Georgina Ellis (Croisiere).
“Dillinger’s lovely,” said Mark. “This is the first weekend he’s jumped Derby fences and he’s taken to it like a duck to water.”
That was putting it mildly. When Mark and Dillinger came in, 18th of 25 starters, there had not been a clear round. Theirs was faultless; smooth and sure from the start. Their descent off the bank was faultless and without hesitation; every turn spot-on. It was deceptively fast too; Mark going with his horse, letting his natural speed and stride length take him to victory without taking a check.
It was all the more impressive as this Diarado gelding saw his first Derby fences in the trial two days ago, in which he and Mark finished ninth.
“We’ve got a couple of natural things at home, which we’ve done; walked down a couple of steep banks, and jumped a little dyke, and he’s just done really well,” Mark said. “He jumped the King’s Cup here last year and loved it so I thought he’d do really well.
“He’s got a massive stride, so I used that to our advantage, just kept in that same rhythm and every time we came off the corner, just stayed on that forward stride. He loved it, he’s a super horse.”
Clears were like buses in this class; once Mark and Dillinger had broken the duck, two more came straight afterwards; Georgina and her own 18-year-old finished on 102.23sec for third place and Sammie-Jo with Sally Jobson Scott’s eight-year-old crossed the line on 101.98sec to finish second.
Sammie-Jo said she made her decision to try the class a month ago when taking to three-time speed Derby winner Harriet Biddick at the Royal Bath & West.
2nd place. Sammie Jo Coffin (GBR) and Big Star of Follyfoot Z in THE BRITISH SPEED DERBY for the Liz Dudden Memorial Trophy at The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby, Hickstead, Sussex. June 20th 2026 ~ MANDATORY Credit Elli Birch/Bootsandhooves – NO UNAUTHORISED USE – 07745 909676
“I’m absolutely delighted,” she said. “She’s only eight, so I didn’t really know how she’d react. We hadn’t done anything until Bath & West and talking to Harriet, who’s the fount of all knowledge, and she said about a place down the road that does cross-country. So we popped her on the lorry, and she absolutely thrived on it, loved it, so we thought we’d give it a go.”
Sammie-Jo’s round was another that looked almost effortless; the Big Star mare eating up the ground and turning tight and accurate. The only check Sammie-Jo took was to the gate and it paid off as the top section that caught out many others stayed up, setting them up for a gallop to the last line.
“There’s a lot I could have done differently,” Sammie-Jo said. “I lost my stirrup at fence three and didn’t get it back till I was on the bank so I was thinking ‘I need to keep going but I’d also quite like my stirrup back’! I was a little cautious every so often as I wanted her to stay confident. She was so careful and trying so hard, I just wanted her to have a nice trip round, and she loved it, so I’m hoping next year she might go one better.”
Gina has had good placings in the speed Derby; she and her own Harlequin Du Carel gelding came fifth last year so she was delighted to be on the podium after their faultless, fast and sure round. She also came 13th with her own Fireball.
“I’m very lucky to have two really good horses,” she said. “Showjumping isn’t really my main priority. I ride racehorses for a living, it’s just a bit of a hobby that’s got slightly out of control!”
Mark and Dillinger have also qualified for tomorrow’s Al Shira’aa Derby, and Mark said he had declared him to start.
“We’ll see how he comes out in the morning, and it’ll probably be more preparation for next year – but we’ll probably give it a go,” he said.
2026 Hickstead speed Derby: no Irish bank
This was the first Hickstead speed Derby to run without the Irish bank; a big brush oxer in the same location. Part of the rationale behind its removal was that it might encourage more riders to enter and at least one – Nicole Pavitt (Casque D’Or) – said it had influenced their decision to take on the class.
It rode well; only one horse had a fault there, and the top three riders all thought the change may mean the course record, 91.95sec as set by Guy Williams and Casper De Muze, could be broken before long.
“I only rode to it last year, and you’re never quite sure going to it, but I think with the new fence there, they’re going to get even faster,” Mark said. “But going six strides to the planks afterwards is probably very risky, so I think jump the brush and then going seven is the best option.”
Gina said the new fence is “a hell of a lot easier than the Irish bank”.
“I think that bank put a lot of people off doing the class, and it attracted more people to do it without it there,” she said. “For me, personally, I’d prefer it was still in, because I think it makes it more challenging.”
Sammie-Jo agreed, adding that she always enjoyed riding to the bank.
“I thought it always made a really good picture as well!” she said. “I think it will be faster because now you don’t have to think, really. Although you slid across the bank, I think it just slowed them down a bit. Now you can keep travelling, and they jumped it very easily.”
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