Karl Slezak and Hot Bobo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
The 2023 Monart Sale will see a record number of 170+ 3-year-olds enter the sales ring, and as day two of bidding begins, the action’s really hitting up — but what are these young horses’ predecessors up to now?
Hot Bobo – one of three purchases for Karl and Katlyn Slezak in the 2017 Monart Sale has proved to be a wise investment, producing multiple international victories for the US-based Canadian rider. Taking the CCI3*L win at Tryon International in 2022, followed by the CCI4*-S at this year’s big Kentucky fixture, earned the duo their spot at the Pan American Games. The highly-rated mare jumped an elusive double clear to secure Team Canada the Gold and cement their Paris 2024 qualification.
Kilcandra Capitol – the 10-year-old was successfully piloted by Ireland’s Susie Berry to a top five finish at Blair Castle CCI4*L in 2022. The Orestus gelding has proved to be a consistent performer for one of Ireland’s rising stars and made his team debut at CHIO Aachen in 2023.
Shannondale Archie – graduated from the 2018 sale and has since represented Australia at the Le Lion D’Anger World Young Horse Championships, as both a six and seven-year-old for Monart selector Bill Levett. The Shannondale Sarco sired gelding finished fourth in his Advanced debut this season, going on to jump clear at Lignières CCI4*S most recently.
CBI Aldo – the 2018 sales topper went on to finish 8th at the six-year-old World Championships in 2021, and finished 4th at Blair Castle CCI3*L in 2022 with Kiwi Olympian Caroline Powell. He stepping up successfully to the CCI4* level this year, jumping double clear at Blenheim Palace CCI4*L.
With bidding for the 2023 sale now underway, Ireland’s leading elite horse auction is already attracting significant global interest. One of the many big names making the journey to the sale in person was Karen O’Connor, who said: “It’s unbelievable. 173 horses and the quality is off the charts! The beauty is, you can watch it online and bid from the States, and there’s literally thousands of people watching. The thing is there’s so much transparency throughout the sale – you can talk to the owners, the breeders and get the back story on every horse.”
Bidding has closed for the first half of the lots in this year’s sale, and lots 87-173 will go under the hammer from 5PM GMT tonight, November 9th, via www.monartsale.auction
