7 minute read
TAYLOR'S TOP 10
by hqmagazine
FOR THE UNITED AVIATION GROUP DERBY
INTERVIEW: CAROLINE MALAN
Barry Taylor gives us his thoughts on the Top 10 horse and rider combinations ahead of this year’s United Aviation Group Derby, which takes place from 30 September – 3 October at Kyalami Equestrian Park. His Top 10 are listed in no particular order.
1. LISA WILLIAMS/CAMPBELL
Campbell is a very good Derby horse – the top rated horse in South Africa. He’s in hot form having recently won the World Cup Qualifier in Shongweni, and good form is what you need going into the Derby. He was unlucky not to compete in the last Derby due to a technical issue. I would make him the favourite. He is a good Derby horse and Lisa has won the Derby before. Derby is up Campbell’s alley and coupled with Lisa’s experience they are a pair to look out for.
2. RAINER KORBER/CLOUNY
These were the last winners in 2019. This is a solid horse. He is a big time jumper and thrives on the big bold jumps. I would rate Ray as one of the top riders in the country and I think Derby is this horse’s game. I believe he is a better Derby horse than Grand Prix horse and I think he will go very close to the win, having prepared with his team the whole year for this show in particular.
3. NICOLE HORWOOD/ CAPITAL HITOSHI
You must never discount this team – especially seeing as Nicole hasn’t won for 4 or 5 Derbies now. Any horse she rides will be well prepared – her preparation is always good. Gonda and Nicole always aim for a good day at the big Derby. I stand under correction but I think Hitoshi has been placed before. Nicole is always there when it counts and Hitoshi is a good Derby-type horse. Chantilly has never done the Derby and would be in the top 2 or 3 horses in SA at the moment but having not done Derby before I am uncertain as to whether she will compete on her come 3 October. Nicole has extensive experience in this show so I would never count her out no matter who she rides.
4. NICOLA SIME/ SUNNY PARK STABLES CONNOISSEUR
Nicola is a previous winner and they form a solid team and often come right on the big day. It’s important to know that in order to win the Derby, experience is key – it’s really tough to win on a first timer. Secondly, having a rider who’s done Derby several times is huge. Nicola and Connoisseur tick both those boxes having both done the Derby before – and Nicola is an especially good Derby rider who prepares well for all her competitions. I think her best horse for the Derby is Connoisseur, although she may also have a first timer on another one of her horses.
5.DOMINEY ALEXANDER
I think he placed in the top 3 or 4 in the 2019 Derby – ironically on a horse that I imported and rode for a while. I believe he has been planning for this for some time and although he has never won it, he is too good a rider to never win the Derby. He has come very close a few times, so the door will open soon. His horse Athena is a very brave mare, not always the most careful, but certainly very brave so Derby is up her alley and if she is ever going to win a big one, then this is it. Dominey is one of the greatest riders this country has ever had. He has just been unlucky every time – his day will come most definitely and it might be this year. He is my dark horse to win on whatever he rides!
6. CHRIS VAN DER MERWE
I really rate Chris. He came from our stables and is perhaps one of the best young riders that this country has ever seen in the last 10–15 years. I’m uncertain as to whether he has a good enough horse at this stage to win the Derby, but I think if you gave him a cow he would be competitive on it! If he rides in the Derby, he will be one of the best prepared riders. Added to his experience are many wins in the smaller Derbies and some great big class wins in the World Cups. I am just not sure if he has a ride capable of winning the Derby for this year, but in terms of the youngsters, I believe he is our best prospect.
7. RON HEALY/CATWEAZLE
He went quite well in the 2019 Derby and I think he’s had this in his game plan from some time now. It has been a big goal of his to win the Derby. The horse is a good horse who has mileage behind him now – not sure if it’s enough to win the Derby. Time will tell. Ronnie has been placed in the Hickstead Derby so certainly knows his way around Derbies. He is a top, top rider and I believe a very good chance for a place.
8.CARL BOONZAAIER/ CALLAHO'S CASPARON
Placed in 2019 – I think third. He is a good rider but on a temperamental stallion from what I can judge when watching from the side lines. He has done a great job on this horse and I have to put him in my top 10. If it all comes together on the day they could be contenders. Carl has had some good results with this horse and will be in with a chance, provided the horse can keep his focus. Often what you find with stallions is that they get distracted with the fanfare and busy-ness of the show, but in 2019 he brought his A-Game and who’s to know if he could replicate this again.
9. HEATHER MOSTERT/ SUMMER BRIDGE CRUISE
This former Miss South Africa beat me in the 2019 Mini-Derby jump-off and that horse has done really well since then, having won numerous 1.40/1.45 classes. Whether it’s up to Derby standard, and they can keep it together as they are both novice at this level, remains to be seen – but they are definitely a Derby prospect for an outside place. Even if she has 8 or 12 faults, she could still pick up a lower down ticket and this is most certainly a horse for the future.
10. OTHER RIDERS
I am still uncertain at this stage who will compete in the show and who won’t – with some horses lame and so on - but Jonathan Clarke is always one to look out for if he rides. Govett Trigoll would be a big contender if he rides although at this stage I am uncertain as to whether he will compete. Gail Foxcroft is another rider that you cannot discount and as a past winner she could be a threat if she rides. As for Lorette’s horse, I am not sure he is really ready and I doubt he will jump, but if she were to ride he would be a good placing chance. Some top riders don’t unfortunately have top horses at this stage – but who’s to know how the next two months will unfold.
