Olympic eventer Euro Prince to be sold at Goresbridge Go For Gold Sales

Francis Murray General September 27, 2016

Have you ever dreamed of owning an Olympic horse? Well now is your chance! Clare Abbott’s 2016 Olympic partner, Euro Prince, will be appearing at public auction in November.

The owners of Euro Prince (or ‘Sparky’ as he is known at home) have come to the decision to put him on the market at the Goresbridge three day Go For Gold sale at Barnadown, Co. Wexford. Euro Prince was bred by his owners Cormac and John McKay who feel that now is the right time to sell him due to the horse’s fantastic form.

5 June 2016; Clare Abbott competing on Euro Prince in the Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ratoath, Co. Meath. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Clare forged a wonderful partnership with the old Irish Sport Horse gelding over their 8 year journey together, worked their way up through the ranks from pre-novice level to placing 37^th individually at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this year and securing 8^th place with the Irish eventing team. Their record includes winning Ballindenisk International CCI3* event by finishing on their dressage score and 6^th place at Tattersalls CIC3* in June. Euro Prince has proven himself time and time again on cross country courses around the world, jumping clear at top events such as Pau, Badminton & Fontainebleau.

Clare Abbott on Euro Prince splash as they race out of the water at the 9th the Cross Country Test. 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Caen, France. Picture Credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE 

Clare and her team will be sorry to see ‘Sparky’ go, stating on her Facebook page that she had hoped to continue their course together at Badminton 2017 and other championships.

Clare Abbott, in action during the Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Final training. Attington Stud, Tetsworth, Thame, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Picture credit: Matt Impey / SPORTSFILE 

The Go For Gold auction takes place from the 14^th to the 16^th of November and specialises in bringing together the best proven and potential event horses that Ireland has to offer.

The sale is commended by event riders around the world, including Boyd Martin (USA) and Oliver Townend (GBR). Go For Gold ‘Graduate’ horses include:

• Cooley Rorkes Drift (ISH) who also represented Ireland at the 2016 Olympic games ridden by Jonty Evans
• Copper Beech (ISH) who won the CCI3* at Kalispell in July under Bruce Davidson Jnr
• Prince Mayo (ISH) who won the CCI3* in Tattersalls in June with Australian rider Paul Tapner.

CLICK HERE to view this year’s impressive Goresbridge Go For Gold catalogue.