MHS Going Global, the 2016 Olympic ride of Irish showjumper Greg Broderick, has been sold for what is believed to be a record-breaking price.
The 10-year-old gelding will be joining the string of Greek showjumper and heiress Athina Onassis.
By Quidam Junior I out of a Cavalier Royale mare, the Irish sport horse was bred by Tom and Ita Brennan of Kilkenny’s Mill House Stud.
He was produced by Greg from a five-year-old, when he was purchased by Lee Kruger.
Greg said in a statement today (25 November) that he and Going Global had shared an “unbelievable journey, from novice classes in Ireland to making dreams come through with Olympic Games and Nations Cup wins” .
He added: “He has given my family, friends, owners and the Irish horse world something to be very proud of and thank you to everyone who has been supportive of us along the way.
“He was part of the family here at Ballypatrick and like a best friend to me. He will be hugely missed but it was a logical decision to sell him in the height of his career.
“I’d like to wish his new owner Athena Onasis all the luck with him and a big thank you to Lee Kruger for the opportunity to ride this great horse.”
A superb record as a clear round jumper in grands prix and nations cups saw Greg and Going Global selected as Ireland’s sole individual combination for Rio, where he dropped out in the second qualifier after finishing equal 50th.
Speaking to H&H ahead of the Games, Greg described the horse as “loving a challenge and a big day and that’s when he comes into himself”.
“He’s the kind of horse that even if he wasn’t an Olympic showjumper, he’d have three or four other routes he could go, he’s such a good type,” he said. “I wouldn’t like to find a better one.”
It is thought the sale price was in the region of €12million (£10.2million).
The previous record paid for a showjumper was €11million, achieved by the then 10-year-old gelding Palloubet d’Halonghas when he was bought by Jan Topps in October 2013.
Other high-value horse sales in recent years have included dressage stallion Totilas, who was rumoured to have exchanged hands for €10million in 2010.
October and November have been bumper months for the sale of showjumpers, with vendors reporting strong prices.
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Last week, 10-year-old Irish sport horse HHS Figero, the ride of Brit Emma O’Dwyer, was also sold for €2million.
The bay gelding will remain in the UK, where the ride will be taken over by 23-year-old Alexandra Thornton.
