A Deliciously Devilish Derby Closes The 'North American' 

Mexico’s Manuel Gonzalez Wins Sun Life Derby

Thumbs Up: Manuel Gonzalez (MEX) delivers the only clear-round in the incredibly difficult Sun Life Derby 1.50m, with Belgian Warmblood gelding Martialis. Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

July 7, 2024

July 7, 2024 (Spruce Meadows) —.An adrenaline-filled Sun Life Derby packed the stands at Spruce Meadows this afternoon, with Mexico’s Manuel Gonzalez emerging as the only rider to complete the incredibly difficult course with zero faults.

Gonzalez, aboard Martialis, successfully navigated 18 obstacles over 1050m including a steep bank, water jump, and the notoriously challenging Devil’s Dyke, famed for tripping up even the most skilled horses.

“It’s an amazing day,” said Gonazalez, whose only other win at the Summer Series was a tie with Ireland’s Conor Swail in the West Canadian Cup during the ‘Pan American’, presented by Rolex.

“I’m really happy about winning this,” he added. “I jumped the same Derby two years ago here at Spruce. I finished seventh place. The Devil’s Dyke is really difficult, and the time allowed was also quite short, so I was worried about that.”

Second place went to Vaclav Stanek (CZE) and Jasper.

Stanek last month won his first-ever 5* competition, the Duncan Ross Grand Prix, during the ‘Continental’, presented by Rolex. His performance since then, at Spruce Meadows alone, before today’s result, has catapulted him from 1,813th in the FEI world rankings to 718th.

It also made him the first rider from Czechia to win an event of that level at Spruce Meadows, or anywhere on earth.

“Even though I didn’t win today, it’s a dream come true because I always wanted to jump the Derby,” said Stanek, whose country’s flag now proudly adorns the wall of Spruce Meadows’ riders’ pub Time Faults. “It was also the first Derby today for Jasper, so I’m happy with the day today and with the whole show.”

Third place went to Australia’s Katie Laurie, who now lives just outside of Okotoks, aboard New Zealand Sport Horse Django II.

Her delighted family, some visiting from abroad, cheered her on from the stands.

“I was super happy with my horse,” Katie told us. “He's never jumped the Derby. He's actually never even seen the Devil's Dyke before, so he was great.”

A noticeably younger field of 24 daring riders took to charismatic course designer Leopoldo Palacios’ (VEN) creation, which had a time allowed of 158s. Both Stanek and Laurie finished with four faults, as did Canada’s Isis Landsbergen, with Carnaval, who came fourth after finishing over a second longer than Laurie. All the other riders finished with between eight and 48 faults.

For complete results from today visit https://www.sprucemeadows.com/live/

Air Raising: Gonzalez and Martialis soar off the table top in the centre of the International Ring during the Sun Life Derby. Spruce Meadows Media/Tony Lewis

Scared Out Of His Whitakers: A relieved Donald Whitaker (GBR) tips his cap following today’s Kubota Cup 1.45m with Ulania 3, telling us afterwards: “I really needed to win that one.” Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Winner Whitaker: ‘Matthew Sampson Threatened To Unfriend Me If I Lost Again’

Britain’s Donald Whitaker told how close friend and fellow star show jumper Matthew Sampson (GBR) had threatened to ‘stop being his friend’ if he didn’t win in this afternoon’s 1.45m Kubota Cup.

Today’s triumph is Whitaker’s first of the entire four-week Spruce Meadows Summer Series — without it, the young member of the famous Whitaker riding clan would have blown his final opportunity for a victory here, leaving Canada empty handed.

“I’m so relieved,” said Whitaker. “Sampson told me if I didn’t win, he wasn’t going to be my friend anymore.

“But seriously, I had to win it, it was the last class, so if I didn’t win that, I wouldn’t have won anything.

“It’s been such an unlucky show, to be honest.

“I knocked a fence down a few times. This mare has actually been clear a few times, but with a time fault.

“It took its toll a little but I managed to do it on the last day. It’s a big weight off my shoulders, that’s for sure.

"To win anything, especially at this place, in this arena, that takes a lot.”

In the end, Sampson, who has won four CSI5* events at Spruce Meadows this summer, one at every tournament, was waiting behind the famous International Ring clocktower to give his friend a big high five.

Whitaker beat 27 other entrants in the one-round speed event, completing the 13-obstacle, 15-effort course created by Spanish designer Santiago Verela Ullastres, in 76.45s.

Second place-finisher Mckayla Langmeier (USA), and Chadina, were a fraction slower, finishing in 76.88s, while the third place pairing, Kyle King (USA), and Sig Chiari, came third at 77.47s.

An Unforgettable Summer Series

Four incredible weeks of world-class show jumping and events draw to a close today, as we wrap up the 2024 Spruce Meadows Summer Series.

Thanks to all of the fans, families, photographers…and famous show jumpers who made this season one for the record books.

We’ve been treated to some outstanding performances by athletes from around the globe, as well as every member of the Team Canada Olympic squad heading to Paris in just a few weeks’ time.

We’ve celebrated a number of firsts — in addition to Vaclav Stanek, we saw Sydney Levy become the first Jamaican to ever compete here, and win a 1.40m competition;  just yesterday the highly decorated Conor Swail (IRL) managed to secure his first-ever Spruce Meadows ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup in the biggest Grand Prix of our four summer tournaments.

We’ve also been treated to a number of other new features, from adorable miniature animals to the incredible Scotiabank Stage, and today’s glistening derby-side event, Huntley Oaks.

Up next this year is the tournament for which Spruce Meadows is famed around the world: the ‘Master's, from Sept. 4 to 8.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Scroll down to see some photos from the final day of the ‘North American’ today…

Floratory: Our stunning Spruce Meadows President and CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott delivers a speech to an enormous crowd. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley 

Tubular: A member of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band is reflected in his tuba during a performance. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley 

Putting On A Show: Dancers delight the audience during the break between competitions. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley 

That’s It For Now: See you back here in September for the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. Spruce Meadows Media/Dave Chidley