John Whitaker produced a vintage performance to win the Horse Radar Stakes and ensure a scintillating start to day three at Horse of the Year Show.
The 59-year-old Yorkshireman, who first competed at HOYS during the early 1970s, delivered a masterclass on Lord of Arabia to thrill a bumper audience in Birmingham’s LG Arena. The Huddersfield-based star was drawn last to go among a 29-strong field, and he shaved more than a second off Nicole Pavitt’s time with Victor Blue to triumph.
“I am still enjoying it and I can still win on the day,” John said. “It was one of those rounds that just went completely to plan. I was last to go, so I knew what I had to do.”
“Every turn really came off perfectly, and we were quick in between the fences. He jumped really carefully and was listening to me. He really helped me today. I thought it would be quite difficult to beat Nicole, but everything came off and I am delighted.”
“I have had Lord of Arabia maybe three years now. He has got a lot of ability. Sometimes he is a little difficult with his temperament, but when he is like he is today he’s unbeatable.”
“I suppose we all have good days and bad days, same as horses, and he was definitely on a good day today.” And HOYS has played an influential role in his stellar showjumping career, with John recalling: “The first year I came here I was 16. I would say that I have been here more than 40 times.
“Horse of the Year Show, for me, was where it all started. I remember watching it as a kid on the television every night after the news and that’s what got me into it.”
Source: HOYS
HORSE RADAR STAKES
International Show Jumping FEI Art. 238.2.1, 1m45
| Rank | CNR | HORSE – Breeding sex \ colour \ born \ sire x siredam |
RIDER Owner |
GBP | 1st Round |
Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 |
Lord Of Arabia Gelding \ Bay \ 2004 \ Cassini II x Carry |
John Whitaker Old Lodge |
GBR
|
1320.00 | 0.00 | 54.45 |
| 2 | 78 |
Victor Blue – AES Gelding \ Chestnut \ 2002 \ My Bjorn W x Rebel II Z |
Nicole Pavitt Mrs Virginia Quine |
GBR
|
800.00 | 0.00 | 55.63 |
| 3 | 34 |
Cumina – SF Mare \ Grey \ 2001 \ Cumano x Tanael |
James Smith Mrs Leona M Smith |
GBR
|
600.00 | 0.00 | 57.45 |
| 4 | 27 |
Chanoc – HOLST Gelding \ Bay \ 2004 \ Caretino x Ramiro |
David Will Federico Fernandez S |
GER
|
400.00 | 0.00 | 58.59 |
| 5 | 54 |
Mon Ame Ii – AES Mare \ Bay \ 2005 \ Caretano Z x Burggraaf |
Robert Whitaker Mr Steven Davenport |
GBR
|
240.00 | 0.00 | 59.77 |
| 6 | 37 |
Golddigger – KWPN Stallion \ Chestnut \ 1999 \ Calvados x Glennridge |
Guy Williams Mr Guy Williams |
GBR
|
180.00 | 0.00 | 62.13 |
| 7 | 81 |
Wellington M – KWPN Gelding \ Bay \ 2003 \ Quidam De Revel x Cash |
Kerry Brennan Mrs Liane Smith |
GBR
|
120.00 | 0.00 | 62.17 |
| 8 | 53 |
Loro Piana Once De Kreisker – SF Stallion \ Bay \ 2002 \ Papillon Rouge |
Philippe Le Jeune Le Jeune Philippe |
BEL
|
100.00 | 0.00 | 63.56 |
| 9 | 55 |
Newton Nickel – AES Gelding \ Bay \ 2004 \ Wolfgang x Indoctro |
Daniel Neilson Stacy Willsone |
GBR
|
80.00 | 0.00 | 67.75 |
| 10 | 58 |
Quidam´s Cherie – OLDBG Mare \ Bay \ 2005 \ Quidam´s Rubin x Lifestyle |
Cian O’Connor Adena Springs |
IRL
|
80.00 | 0.00 | 80.63 |
| 11 | 75 |
Ursula XII – SSH Mare \ Bay \ 2001 \ Ahorn x Papageno |
Scott Brash Lady P Harris & Lady P Kirkham |
GBR
|
40.00 | 1.00 | 84.42 |
| 12 | 104 |
Arantos – KWPN Gelding \ Bay \ 2005 \ Concorde x Hamlet |
David Simpson Mr David Simpson |
IRL
|
40.00 | 4.00 | 54.95 |