Hickstead Derby returns to TV after one year break

The Hickstead Derby is returning to TV a year after coverage of the 2015 class was axed.

The Equestrian.com Derby will be shown on Sky Sports 3 from 2pm on 26 June.

Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn said the team is really pleased a broadcaster “of the calibre” of Sky Sports will be covering the Derby this year.

“It’s one class that showjumping fans really look forward to watching on TV,” she said.

“With Sky Sports televising the action while we also live stream our coverage via Hickstead.tv, it ensures the iconic Equestrian.com Derby can reach a potentially huge global audience.”

Last year’s event was cut from the television calendar after Hickstead decided that Sky Sports would not broadcast the Derby due to costs, but it was live streamed on the showground’s own online channel.

The Derby and other classes at the meeting will also be live streamed again this year, with coverage from Impact Media shown on Hickstead.tv.

Sky Sports began broadcasting Hickstead’s international competitions in 2005. It will also continue to cover the competition from the Friday to Sunday of the Longines Royal International Horse Show (26-31 July) this year.

As well as this, Friday’s Nations Cup will be broadcast to FEI TV subscribers; and classes from the Saturday and Sunday of the Royal International will be shown for free on Hickstead.tv.

Racing clash

Almost two hours of Royal Ascot coverage will be broadcast on Channel 4’s secondary station — More4 — this week due to a clash with the Formula One European Grand Prix.

Channel 4 is still broadcasting 30 hours from the five-day meeting (14-18 June), including daily Morning Line programmes, a red button service and highlights each evening.

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From 1.30pm to 3.20pm on Saturday (18 June), coverage will be shown on More4. This includes the Listed Chesham Stakes and Wolferton Handicap.

This is the channel’s final royal meeting, as ITV takes over the rights to racing coverage from 2017.

Lucy Elder

H&H senior news writer

Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.