July 27, 2025 
The name Whitaker is nothing short of royalty in the British equestrian landscape. And there’s no venue where that royalty reigns quite as supreme as Hickstead in West Sussex.
Twenty-twenty five has been Robert Whitaker’s year to wave the family flag. In June, he won the Hickstead Speed Derby on 19-year-old Gentlemen VH Veldhof. He followed that up by clinching the CSIO5* Al Shira’aa King George V Gold Cup with 12-year-old Vermento. It’s a feat only two riders prior have accomplished in the same year.
Whitakers have topped the podium in the last three editions of the legacy class, all but claiming ownership over the title. Robert and Vermento were the 2023 champions, while Donald Whitaker had his time to shine in 2024 with Millfield Colette.
In 2025, both riders found themselves again in contention for the win after the first round. In fact, half of the jump-off qualifiers were Whitakers. Their chances were good.
But with a less than ideal round put in by Donald, it was up to Robert to lay it down.
“I watched Jordan [Coyle]’s round, and to be honest I didn’t need to see anything else after that,” Robert said of his plan. “He did all the distances I was going to do. When I saw his round I knew I had to be similar to him. Vermento is actually a big horse but he’s somehow quite fast. I’ve been fast indoors with him as well. He’s quick across the ground.”
Robert’s time of 38.88 seconds was fast enough, and runner-up Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi finished nearly a full second slower in 39.74. Coyle held onto third with Chaccolino in 40.17.
Coming to the final fence in the jump-off, Robert’s approach was cool and calm.
“I was just thinking, jump it,” he said of the last. “I was really confident today. Sometimes these rounds just don’t work but my round worked everywhere. Every turn, every stride was at the right moment. I was confident.”
Vermento, the 12-year-old stallion by Argento, could easily double as an equine catalog model with his pristine black coat and head-turning stature.
Now a two-time winner of the class, Robert is encroaching on his father John’s three-win record in the class on a horse he bred, no less.
“I don’t think he’s going to give me any more horses,” Robert joked.
“My dad gets quite emotional—he bred the horse as well, so the whole story is very special. He was happy. We’re all happy. [I give] credit to my owners who have been incredible.”
Robert now joins a short but impressive list featuring Harvey Smith (1970) and David Broome (1992), who won both the Hickstead Derby and the King George V Gold Cup in the same year. Smith went on to win the Dublin Grand Prix as well, earning a trifecta of wins that yet to be repeated.
With Dublin just a couple of weeks away, eyes are on Robert Whitaker to see if he and his homebred stallion can keep the streak alive.
“It’s just been an amazing year for me and my owners, but the year is not over, and we’ve got to keep going!”
