John Whitaker breaks 12-year barren run at Royal Windsor Horse Show

John Whitaker and Uniek, whom he started riding four months ago, gained their biggest success yesterday when they won the Alltech Grand Prix on the last day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show after two flawless rounds.

Whitaker, 54, selected for the Rome Nations Cup at the end of the month with Peppermill, his top horse, was delighted with the latest addition to his string. “I didn’t realise how good he was,” he said of Andy and Alou Brake’s nine-year-old gelding. “He’s a real winner, really careful and brave.”

Charlotte Platt, at 23 some 30 years Whitaker’s junior, had set the standard in the seven-horse jump-off with a time of 48.48sec on Paulien — the mare on which she had a double clear round in the 2008 British Nations Cup but has had a long injury lay-off. “Charlotte was very quick,” said Whitaker, who was also sidelined last season with a broken ankle. “I knew I had to go fast.”

The Dutch-bred Uniek, ridden as a novice by Robert Smith, cleared each fence with inches to spare and galloped home in 44.96sec to record Whitaker’s first success in the event since 1998.

Daniel Moseley, the stable jockey for William Funnell, was a close third on Kepi d’Elle.

Tim Stockdale, the winner in 2006, finished fifth on Fresh Direct Kalico B, his exciting new international prospect, but there was disappointment for Geoff Luckett, the 2009 winner, when Valblanc Van Het Panishof was retired in the first round after eight faults.