WILLIAM Fox-Pitt has described winning the Badminton Horse Trials for a second time as “magical”.

The 46-year-old rode Chilli Morning to victory on Sunday thanks to a perfect show jumping round.

And while admitting to Echosport that title number two gave him more satisfaction than his first in 2004, Fox-Pitt was also quick to praise his “exceptional” horse.

Before Chilli Morning, no other stallion had won an elite four-star event anywhere in the world.

“Badminton is steeped in history and it’s one of the big events to win,” he said.

“It’s very hard to win and in our sport everyone talks of it as the unofficial world championships.

“It’s very special for me to win on a stallion and it shows what an exceptional horse he is.

“Very few horses reach that level and I have learnt a lot riding him.

“I’m very lucky to have such a talented horse and it all comes down to the partnership between me and him.

“I have had a lot of very good horses and been supported by some fantastic owners, and Chilli is certainly one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden.”

Chilli Morning, who is set to be paraded at Wincanton races today, will now have a long rest until preparations begin for next year’s Olympics.

Reflecting more on his weekend success, Sturminster Newton ace Fox-Pitt added: “It’s magical to have won it again.

“The last time I won none of my children were around so this time they could really get into the spirit of it.

“It is more satisfying this time because it means more to more people – it was a team effort.”

Kiwi Andrew Nicholson shone during the dressage and cross country stages, and he led going into the show jumping.

But his hopes were dashed when he had three fences down, leaving Fox-Pitt, who had earlier gone clear, to become the first British winner since 2009.