William Fox-Pitt riding Tamarillo, his 2004 Badminton winner, joined an elite trio of riders yesterday when he won his fifth Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials - equalling the record of Mark Todd, from New Zealand, and Ginny Leng, of Great Britain. He also became only the third rider in the 49-year history of the event to be placed first and second after finishing runner-up on Ballincoola, his 2005 winner.

“It's an incredibly emotional result for me,” Fox-Pitt said. “Tamarillo's been a fantastic horse and to win this at his first attempt, aged 16, having already got a Badminton win, is quite special. I don't think he's ever been more focused - he was really fun to ride and seems to thrive in the rain. I'm just so pleased for his owner, Mary Guinness, especially after he missed selection for the Olympic Games.”

Ballincoola, who was third at Badminton this year, has been no less a servant than Tamarillo to Fox-Pitt. This was the Irish gelding's sixth appearance at Burghley and his performance was all the sweeter for being his last with Fox-Pitt. He now goes to Fergus Payne, the 18-year-old grandson of his owner, Judith Payne, to compete in young rider classes. “It was my suggestion but I'm already starting to regret it,” Fox-Pitt said.

The double success, which came after the wettest Burghley in memory, earned Fox-Pitt, 39, and his owners £99,000 in prize-money and also gives him an unassailable lead in the HSBC FEI Classics series, which includes the sport's leading five events for which the first prize is $150,000 (about £85,000).

Mary King, a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the Olympics with Fox-Pitt, was no less delighted with the performance of her two horses, Imperial Cavalier and Apache Sauce, on which she finished third and fourth respectively. King, 47, has earmarked Imperial Cavalier as a possible contender for London 2012 and was delighted to have proved that their mistake at the penultimate fence at Badminton in May - for which she blames her riding - was a blip in an otherwise exemplary progression to date.

After the rigours of the cross country on Saturday - in driving rain - 30 riders from the original 73 were left to contest the showjumping. Zara Phillips, the world champion, and Ruth Edge, the dressage leader on Mr Dumbledore, were notable absentees.

Phillips retired Glenbuck during the cross country and then had a fall at the infamous “mushroom fence” on Ardfield Magic Star, on which she had been going superbly until then. Mark Phillips, her father and the course designer, said that the fence, at which there were several ugly falls, would not be used again. Edge was eliminated after a fall at Fence 7, where 12 horses faulted.

Although Fox-Pitt, one of only three inside the time on Saturday, claims to have felt “relaxed” when he came into the showjumping arena on Tamarillo - knowing that he had already secured victory on Ballincoola - others were less so. Tamarillo's cheeky nature, which stems from being closely handled as a foal after his mother, an Anglo-Arab, died after being kicked, has attracted an army of supporters during his star-studded career. For them a win, after his superb cross-country round in torrential rain, was going to be the only fitting end to the script.

But Fox-Pitt's 12-point lead - helped by the withdrawal of Philip Dutton and Woodburn, who had been second overnight - was threatened early on when they hit Fence 2 on the 12-fence showjumping course. When the first part of the combination (Fence 7a) also fell, there was a collective holding of breath. But Tamarillo finished without further faults - to deafening cheers.

For Guinness, who was “gutted” when the selectors chose Parkmore Ed rather than Tamarillo for Fox-Pitt's Olympic ride, the performance was yet more proof of his unique credentials. “If ever a horse was made for this sport, it's him - he loves it,” she said. “It's just sad that he didn't get his chance to go for gold in Hong Kong.”

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