Home hero Shane Breen clinches victory in Beethoven 7 and 8-year-old Championship

It’s already looking like a very good week indeed for Irishman and reigning Al Shira’aa Derby winner Shane Breen, who picked up his second International Arena win of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.  

Shane, who is based at the Sussex venue, secured the win in yesterday’s Grade C Championship with ABC Cortana Cruise before adding today’s Breen Equestrian Beethoven 7 and 8-year-old Championship to his roster of wins on Instrumental V.  

“I bought her at the beginning of the year from Peder Fredricson, as I’ve always liked her,” said Shane of the diminutive daughter of Qualdandro Z. “She’s not so big, but she has a huge stride, a big gallop, and a lot of power behind, and I'm just trying to get the balance a little bit. Sometimes she'll power herself onto her forehand, but that's all improving.” 

The new partnership won a CSI2* Grand Prix in Dubai earlier this season, and today’s class has been another step towards a main summer goal for the mare: “It was nice to get her in the main arena there, and she took to it very well –?and now that she’s won today, the plan is to perhaps bring her back for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in July.” 

Though Shane might appear to have a home advantage, as he lives and trains on the grounds of the showground, show weeks actually prove to be a unique challenge. “A lot of people think I have the upper hand because I'm on home ground, but it's actually interesting, because the horses walk around this ring every day, and then when they come down for the show, it is very different,” he said. “There’s all the trade stands, and people, and everything – and so actually, it's nearly easier if I just go to an away show rather than here, because they find it so different –?they wonder who has invaded their patch? Over the years, I’ve found they can go a bit green.” 

The Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting takes place from 22-25 June at Hickstead in West Sussex. Tickets are available online or at the gate, and the action will also be shown live on Hickstead.TV and ClipMyHorse.TV. 

Image: Boots & Hooves Photography