The big winner at last night's auction. Photo via Goresbridge Go For Gold Facebook page.
Richard Sheane outbid Oliver Townend for a 3-year-old gelding by Ramiro B at last night’s Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale in Ireland, commanding the top price of the night at €53,500, or about $66,800. “If you own him, you won’t have to compete against him, sir,” the auctioneer told Oliver toward the end of the bidding, but Richard ultimately prevailed, telling us this morning: “It’s important to have the best ones!”
The young gelding is sired by Harthill Stud’s influential Belgian Warmblood stallion Ramiro B, who is currently 10th in the WBFSH rankings for eventing stallions. Of course, in the States we know him best as the sire of Carl and Cassie Segal’s Balleynoe Castle RM, Buck Davidson’s longtime upper-level partner who placed 3rd at Rolex Kentucky this year.
Unnamed 3-year-old gelding by Ramiro B. Photo via Go For Gold catalogue.
Ramiro B also sired Laura Collett’s former partner Noble Bestman, who completed Badminton and Burghley. It’s easy to see why Oliver Townend really wanted the gelding, as he has some class horses in his program sired by Ramiro B, like Cooley Master Class, who won the Ballindenisk CICO3*.
On the dam side, the gelding is out of the Irish Sport Horse mare Willows Music, by the American Thoroughbred stallion Rhoman Rule (Stop The Music – Morning Bird, by Swaps). Her dam, Coolmore Rose, is by Clover Hill. The Intermediate campaigner Pusiden is also out of Coolmore Rose.
What do you think, EN? Is this 3-year-old gelding destined for stardom? Click here to see video of him in action. It will be exciting to see where he ends up as Richard looks to produce him and ultimately sell him under the Cooley name. You can view full results from the auction here.
Goresbridge Go For Gold Links: [Website] [Auction Catalogue] [Results]
