Scott Brash conquers the Longines Grand Prix of St Gallen with Hello Jefferson

Tuesday 03 June 2025

Scott Brash seized victory in the Longines Grand Prix of St Gallen in Switzerland in a hotly contended jump-off with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s Hello Jefferson.

“He jumped so well, I’m very happy with him,” said Scott.

Fifty of the top riders came forward to face Swiss course-designer Gerard Lachat’s 14-fence, 17-effort 1.60m track, but such was the quality of the field here – as expected – 16 of them posted clear rounds to join round two.  These included Ben Maher on Dallas Vegas Batilly, but four faults second time out put this pair out of the running and into 10th.

France’s Nicolas Sers led the way on Eleven De Riverland when Scott entered the ring on the highly sensitive, eager Hello Jefferson, but the Cooper Van De Heffinck x Irco Mena 16-year-old was also tuned into his rider’s wishes and concentrated solely on clearing every rail.  Quick and focused, the pair flashed through the finish with 0.10 seconds to spare to take the win.

“With 16 in the jump-off it was very quick and I can’t really say where we won it, just quick all around the track, but everyone had to take care down a long distance to a short, two-stride double and that was tricky enough, but he jumped well and I was happy with him,” said Scott, who has been trying out different bridles with Jefferson.

“He had a break after Geneva and I’m trying to build him up for Aachen in a good way.  In Rome, I tried a different bridle and he wasn’t happy.  This week, he’s in a combination bridle and I’m very happy with that and delighted with him.” 

Matt Sampson steered Pretty Pi’Que De’Luxe into the top spot of the Prize CSIO Club 5* 1.45m two-phase, the Party Dance nine-year-old edging ahead to win by the tiny fraction of 0.05 seconds. 

Jess Mendoza jumped Summerhouse into third in the 52-horse Prize MS Direct Group 1.50m speed, the Guidam Sohn x Indoctro 10-year-old two seconds behind the winner, France’s Roger Yves Bost on Embassy Du Chateau.

 

Guy Williams races to a four-star win in Hamburg with the speedy BH Gringos Legacy

Guy Williams held off every challenge in the 4* Prize of Dream.de German Derby qualifier on the Al Shiraa’a Derby Tour in Hamburg, Germany, with BH Gringo’s Legacy.

The pair had already shown their prowess and fleet turn of foot in the first day’s 47-strong 4* 1.45m speed, taking second 1.15 seconds in arrears of Ireland’s Ciaron Nallon riding BE Wineham.

Forty-three contenders faced a 13-fence, 17-effort 1.50m speed course designed by Frank Rothenberger, and only four completed the track without penalty.  A jubilant Guy was eight seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Germany’s Frederic Tillman aboard DSP Comanche VL.

“She has a lot of energy and Thoroughbred in her, you have to let her run,” emphasised Guy, on the 10-year-old mare (Tullibards Bennys Legacy x Colourfield). 

“She’s an eventer, but she’s also recently competed successfully over showjumps in Spain, so I thought I’d come here for the Derby and then jump her in the Hickstead Derby,” added Guy, winner of the Hickstead Derby 15 years ago on Skip Two Ramiro.  

Guy has also competed in the Hamburg Derby twice before, but this was his first time with this ambitious, exciting mare – “You can’t fight with her or you lose control, she has to be allowed to go round the course at her own pace – and we succeeded in doing that today!”

Georgia Tame had the edge in the NFR Speed Derby over a 4* 1.40m track with Loughton Diamond.  Twelve came forward in this competition with Georgia securing the win on the Diarado x Cruising 10-year-old mare by 2.04 seconds.  Guy also featured, taking third on Uncle Braun DK Z, an eight-year-old who shares his sire with Guy’s former top ride Rouge De Ravel.

 

Robert Whitaker misses out on a four-star win by a tiny fraction in France

Robert Whitaker eased Gentlemen VH Veldhof into second in the Range Rover 4* 1.45m in Cabourg, France.

The field of 81 competitors was reduced to 16 for the jump-off, Robert and the Quite Easy x Calido I 19-year-old finishing only 0.15 seconds behind the winner, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann aboard Glamour Girl.

Hannah Francde-Smith topped the 4* 1.40m in a 16-horse decider with the 16-year-old Vera De La Roque, edging ahead by 0.18 seconds to push Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa on Ziggy Stardust into second.

 

James Smith claims victory in the 2* Grand Prix of Bonheiden

James Smith flew to victory in the 2* Grand Prix of Bonheiden, Belgium, with Eagele Z.

The 52 starters were reduced to 10 for the jump-off, with two British representatives vying for the top spot.  But they were no match for James as he used his final draw to maximum effect, guiding the 14-year-old Eagele (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Ramiro Z) to win by 1.52 seconds.  Joe Clee eased the eight-year-old Applebridge Tag Z into third.

 

Rachel Proudley picks up money in Mullingar

Rachel Proudley claimed second in 2* 1.45m with Quality Street in Mullingar, Ireland.

Sixty-four initially contended this class over Spanish course-designer Javier Trenor’s 13-fence track with 16 returning for the jump-off.  Rachel steered HK Horses’ 14-year-old Irish-bred mare into the runner-up spot 1.93 seconds behind the winner, Ireland’s Tim Brennan on Diadema Della Caccia.  Four faults kept Rachel out of the jump-off for the final 2* Grand Prix.

Rachel picked up a win on the final day, sweeping into a 0.41 second victory in the 21-strong jump-off with the nine-year-old stallion Cancoon.

Image: St Gallen Fografie Stuppia

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