Equestrianism: Charles takes third Derby on faultless Corrada

Peter Charles achieved the smoothest of his three consecutive victories on Corrada in the Derby, when the big grey mare completed the only clear round over the marathon course of 16 fences here yesterday.

Michael Whitaker, holding the lead with just one error on Ashley at the fence immediately after the descent from the 10ft 6in Derby Bank, saw his chance of a fifth victory in this annual classic disappear as Corrada, the last to jump, completed her foot-perfect clear round.

"I'll never ride another horse that can jump those fences so easily. She could do it in her sleep," Charles said. He insists that the mare could "come back and win another two", but he may not have the opportunity to prove his point as Corrada is being sold by her owner, Paul Stamp. "If I can sneak her off her new owner next year, we'll be back," Charles added.

William Funnell, in line to collect a bonus of £50,000 if he could add a Hickstead victory to his win in the Falsterbo Derby on Cortaflex Mondriaan, had to wave goodbye to that enticing reward after the young horse lowered two parts of the infamous Devil's Dyke in an otherwise brilliant round that left him in third place. Fourth was shared by Robert Whitaker, Michael's nephew, Scott Smith and Duncan Inglis, who incurred 12 faults apiece.

As expected, the individual dressage gold medal went to the defending German champion, Ulla Salzgeber, on Rusty, who produced another outstanding test in yesterday's Freestyle to Music. Richard Davison was best of the British when he scored an excellent 75.24 per cent in this final test on Ballaseyr Royale to finish 10th overall, two places behind Emma Hindle, who did best of the Britons.