Silver Lift, the Irish-bred gelding who won three Hickstead Speed Derby titles with rider Harriet Biddick, has retired at age 21. The horse, which also finished second four times in the event, will spend its retirement with an old friend and other horses in the field.
Harriet Biddick said she chose to retire the horse last month to enjoy the sun on its back. Silver Lift had continued competing until then under stable jockey Lily Wilson and remained successful.
Biddick recalled buying the horse from Ireland as a four-year-old for her sister Lucy. The pair first competed in the Speed Derby when Silver Lift was seven and finished 11th. They later claimed wins in 2016, 2019 and back-to-back titles in 2022.
The horse's final Speed Derby came in 2024, when it placed second. Biddick described its bond with her and its enjoyment of the competition at Hickstead.
