Tissues at the ready as showjumping fans will have the chance to say farewell to a legend next month, when William Funnell’s ride Cortaflex Mondriaan is retired before the Carpetright Derby. Watch our video of Cortaflex Mondriaan winning the Derby below.

Back to back wins

Julie Slade’s 17-year-old bay gelding holds an impressive record in the Hickstead Derby. He finished third in his first attempt in the class in 2003, he won in 2006, finished fourth the following year, then achieved back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009.

Mondriaan’s wins put him in a select band of horses who have won the Derby three times, alongside Mon Santa (Michael Whitaker) and Corrada (Peter Charles). Only Eddie Macken and Boomerang have won the Derby a total of four times.

Parade

The decision has been made to retire Cortaflex Mondriaan from competition. He will parade in the International Arena at Hickstead – the scene of so many of his great triumphs – before the Carpetright Derby, which will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday 26 June.

True Derby champion

Lizzie Bunn, Hickstead director, says: “Mondriaan is a true Derby Champion. He is a member of an elite group of horses to have won it on three occasions and, but for a bout of colic that hampered his preparation last year, he might have equalled Boomerang's record of four wins.  

“He loves Hickstead – when he canters into the International Arena, particularly in front of a huge Derby crowd, he grows several inches. He will be remembered as one of the all-time Derby greats,” she adds.