Edited and translated press release from Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025

­"She has a lot of energy and blood in her,” Guy Williams emphasised with a smile after taking the top honours in Friday's CSI4* 1.50m Prize of Dreame.de – the 2nd qualifier for Sunday's Hamburg Derby – at the Al Shira'aa German Show Jumping & Dressage Derby 2025.

“A lot of thoroughbred! You have to let her run." That's what Williams said of the 10-year-old mare BH Gringos Legacy (Tullibards Bennys Legacy x Colourfield) after their win.

Out of 44 rider-horse pairs, only four completed the course clear – and all of them were cheered and celebrated like winners by the spectators.

"My mare is an eventer, but she has also been successful in showjumping classes in Spain. So, I thought I'd come here for the derby and then take her to Hickstead," said the Brit, explaining his plan. The 53-year-old already won the famous Hickstead Derby 15 years ago, and he has also competed twice in Hamburg, but this was his first time with this ambitious, fast mare. "You can't fight with her, then you lose control. She has to be allowed to go through the course at her own pace – we managed to do that today."

Frederic Tillmann (GER) and DSP Comanche VL (Cellestial x Loredo) are taking part in Hamburg's Derby Tour for the fourth time but could not match William's time – 8.05 seconds separated the two riders. "Comanche already mastered the course brilliantly as an eight-year-old," Tillmann said. ‘But now I have so much confidence myself: When I'm over the black and red oxer, it's just the ‘Derby stuff’ that comes next and we'll bring that home!" 

No sooner said than done, penalty-free in 103.57 seconds – second place. Today's runner-up joked with a wink: "I really don't begrudge Guy his victory today if we swap places on Sunday."

Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) and Electric Joy (Diarado x Warsteiner) finished third with a time of 112.91 seconds.