Whizzy Williams continues family legacy with first Hickstead International Arena victory
Saturday 24 June 2023
Guy Williams is a familiar face at the top of the Hickstead prizegiving line-up, with countless international wins to his name at the showground, including the famous Hickstead Derby in 2010. It was the turn of his 17-year-old daughter Maisy in the Billy Stud Auction British 6-year-old Championship that saw Guy step into a different role, as the winning owner and support team.
“Dad said, ‘just go as fast as you can’ – I couldn't go any slower, as I wouldn't have won!” said Maisy, whose win came on board Uncle Braun DK Z. “We’ve had him since he was a four-year-old, and broke him in, so we’ve had him the whole way through,” she said. “
It was Maisy’s first-ever International Arena win, having usurped long-time leader Jack Nicklin and Diza Z by 0.71seconds.
Maisy had another ride in this class: Billy Heinz, who finished 11th having tipped a rail in the jump-off portion of the course. But the earlier round provided Maisie with valuable course intel before embarking on her winning ride.
“My horses are both very different – the first has got a lot smaller stride than the second,” she said. “ struggle too much. Jack Nicklin was behind me, and he's fast – so all I could do was go as fast as I could and hope for the best!”
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
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