Teshi Zuill had a debut to remember after claiming the coveted Champion of Champions crown at the first attempt with his Indiana-bred gelding SomeGoldSomewhere at the weekend.

The pair posted the fastest combined time (4min 16sec) in the four-heat series to pip rival stallion Gold Rush (Darico Clarke) for the title by two-fifths of a second and end the 2025-26 campaign in a blaze of glory at the National Equestrian Centre.

“This is my first time entered in Champion of Champions and I am very very proud of my pony,” Zuill told The Royal Gazette.

The 18-year-old and his eight-year-old pony led the five-horse field after producing the fastest combined times (2:07/1) during the opening two heats at the Devonshire track on Saturday.

“I was surprised when I found out that I was in the lead the first day because my pony wasn't the fastest,” Zuill said. “But I took a positive mindset into the next day hoping that I can stay out on top.

“The last race I had to race alone because my stablemate’s pony HuntingForGold got injured, so it was very stressful knowing that I didn't have any competition, but everyone was cheering for me, which motivated me to push my pony to his limits and secure the Champion of Champions title.”

Tahzil Flood’s gelding HuntingForGold was scratched from the last heat of the series after suffering an injury earlier in the day.

“HuntingForGold pulled up hurt after his first heat and due to injury he was not able to go in the second heat unfortunately,” owner/driver Flood said.

Pre-race favourite Smart Machine also suffered the same fate having been scratched from the final two heats after being injured the previous day.

“When I took him out on Sunday morning he wasn’t quite right and I didn’t want to push him, so I decided to give him the day off,” owner/driver Candyce Martins said.

Mare Gold Rush and driver Clarke took second with a fastest combined time of 4:16/2, while mare Double Time and rookie driver Xanaje DeGraff finished third (4:20) to round off the podium.

Driving Horse and Pony Club president Samantha Hayward summed up the season finale as a success.

“This year’s event truly solidifies that this race, the Champion of Champions, is anybody’s to win or lose,” she said.

“It was really crystal clear that anything can happen on race day with ponies getting injured and the luck of draw.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s three ponies in the race, it doesn’t matter if there’s two ponies in the race, it’s the one who's consistent throughout the four heats that comes out the winner.

“SomeGoldSomewhere did not go into the race as being one of the favourites, that was Smart Machine and Gold Rush, and he was consistent for the four heats so he pulled it off. It’s anyone’s game on race day, and it really and truly proved that last weekend.

“It was a very well-attended event. I was very happy with the turnout and we appreciate the support from the general public and race fans. It was a good weekend with nice weather and the track conditions were good. It was a great way to close the season.”