Showjumper Holly Gillott has sold her ‘‘once in a lifetime’ horse Dougie Douglas at auction, fetching €1.4million.
‘Very special’
Dougie took Holly to the top of her sport. Together they became regulars on FEI Nations Cup teams and were shortlisted for the European Championships.
“I had never jumped above 1.20m before I had him,” Holly told H&C. “He’s had a huge impact on my career.
“My family and my partner Graham always thought I had ability, but to make it to the top level in the space of six years was amazing. He was very special.”
Business-minded
Holly bought the Irish Sport Horseas a four-year-old from Goresbridge sales in Co Wexford for just €5,800. During their time together they won the Hickstead Derby Trial and helped Britain takesecond place in the Nations Cup at Lummenandwin a few weeks later in Rome.
Selling Dougie has been on the rider’s mind for a number of years, as she needs to invest in more horse power and improve and expand her facilities at home in Loughborough.
“It would have been quite easy to keep Dougie until he retired or got injured, but that would have been me done,” stated the 26-year-old. “I was upset at the time, but the sale wasn’t as hard as people might think because I knew had to do it. I’m quite a business-minded person.”
Supreme Sale
They planned to sell him at the end of the summer, which was when Goresbridge asked if they want to put him up for auction at their Supreme Sale of Showjumpers.
“Horses of that value don’t normally go to the sales, but we thought it was perfect as it was after the Nations Cup series and we knew it would be well advertised all over the world,” said Holly.
“At the fall of a the hammer they’re sold and it’s all very transparent for people buying. I think we’ll start seeing a lot more top horses being sold this way.”
Record sale
Dougie fetched a record sale at Goresbridge of €1.4million. Although Holly can’t say yet who bought him, she revealed it was to an American rider.
Some of the money has already been spent as they putting in a new arena. There are also plan to develop one of their barns, and rent it out to another rider.
“It’s all about making the place a bit more economical and providing new sources of income,” explained Holly. “Having the money also means we can buy a youngster when we see one, which we’ve not been able to do before.
“I’ve always gone for unbroken three- or four-year-olds, but I might get something a bit older.”
Step back
With Dougie gone, Holly will have to take a step back in her career, although she has two seven-year-olds currently competing at 1.45m. She also has a six-year-old who qualified for the Foxhunter finals.
“I’m always striving to be at the top, but I’m very patient with my horses,” said Holly. “I’ve broken through once and if I get a horse good enough I’m confident I’ll be able to break through again.”