The Olympic champion Uthopia, ridden by Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, will be sold through auction with no reserve on May 27, 2016.
The 14-year-old KWPN stallion contributed to team gold medals at the 2011 European Championships and the 2012 Olympics, as well as team bronze at the 2013 European Championships for Britain.
Initially owned by Ireland’s Sasha Stewart, and Carl Hester, reports indicate that Uthopia was purchased by an anonymous investor a few years ago, as Stewart underwent bankruptcy in 2010.
Hester, who found the stallion in Holland in 2005 for Stewart, a former eventer who wished to compete in the dressage arena, rode him regularly once Stewart started a family the following year. Uthopia made his grand prix debut with Hester in 2010.
Dujardin competed Uthopia in 2013, riding him in CDIs in Addington, Saumur, Rotterdam and Hartpury. Hester qualified him for the 2013 European Championships in Herning. Uthopia’s last competition as with Dujardin at the CDI Windsor in May 2014.
Since then, the stallion has been out of competition due to legal matters, and he is now being sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group) who hold joint ownership of the horse by virtue of their respective roles as Trustee in Bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates.
Wilson Auctions released the following statement:
“Wilsons Auctions take the welfare of Uthopia very seriously. We recognise the importance of maintaining the level of expert care and attention that the horse has previously enjoyed.
“Uthopia will reside at his current stable yard and be cared for by the same people, throughout this process.
“It is of course possible that he may continue to reside at his current stable yard after the sale has concluded, dependant of course on the identity and intentions of the purchaser.
“We welcome bids from any interested party and it is our wish that the eventual purchaser enjoys owning the horse for many years to come.
“An information pack will soon be made available on our website which will disclose all information in relation to the horse that has been made available to us. This will be free to download by any interested party.”
Eurodressage reports that Hester has secured owners who are willing to invest in the purchase of Uthopia in order to keep him partnered with Hester. He noted, however, that is is not possible to arrange an agreement with Wilsons before the auction on May 27th.
Interested bidders can register for the Unreserved Prestige Auction by emailing uthopia@wilsonsauctions.com. For regular updates, follow @wilsonsauctions on Twitter.
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