Olympic bronze medal horse Blue Loyd, the 12-year-old German-bred gelding co-owned by Barbara and Charlie O’Reilly-Hyland and Cian O’Connor of Ireland, has been sold to Austrian-Canadian businessman Frank Stronach and will be ridden by his granddaughter, Nicole Walker. O’Connor had acquired the horse a year ago from Norwegian Nina Braaten; the selling price for this latest transaction was not disclosed.
Blue Loyd’s new owner, the Austrian-born Stronach, is the founder of Magna International, North America’s largest car parts manufacturer, and also a top Thoroughbred breeder. He also owns the Magna Racino equestrian complex in Austria and is said to be a driving force behind that country’s World Equestrian Games bid.
Walker, 19, and Blue Loyd will connect for the first time at Wellington, FL, in February, where she will be showing at WEF. When asked about the new partnership, Beth Underhill, who trains Walker at her Beth Underhill Stables in Schomberg, ON, stated, “The horse was ridden for some years by a girl and has a very good history. I think it’s a type that will suit Nikki very well – she’s a very adaptive rider – horses respond well to her sensitive touch. I think that it will be a lovely match.
“Last year at the Royal, Nikki won the CET Medal Finals; this year was her first time doing the metre-40 and Talent Squad, so it’s really exciting to see how she’s developed as a rider and what a talent she is for Canada. It’s so exciting to have a horse for this next step for her.”
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