Oliver Townend has today (29 January) announced the retirement of his talented and consistent gold medal-winning ride, Ballaghmor Class.

The 19-year-old grey gelding completed 13 five-star events, finishing in the top-five 11 times, and secured team gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

By Courage II and out of Kilderry Place, ‘Thomas’ is owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan.

“Thomas has been one of the most successful event horses in history and a phenomenal partner and team mate to me,” said Oliver.

“Thank you to Thomas’s owners for supporting the fantastic journey that we have all been on together with this incredibly special horse and to our team who have looked after him so beautifully over the last 14 years.”

The Irish-bred gelding won Burghley on his CCI5* debut at just 10 years old and from there went from strength-to-strength, taking home a further three titles at the five-star level, including a second win at Burghley, and wins at Kentucky and Maryland.

Thomas will be officially retired in the main arena at Burghley Horse Trials later this year (3-6 September).

“Ballaghmor Class epitomises the definition of a true CCI5* horse, which is why he has been so successful across his career and especially at Burghley, which is considered possibly the ultimate CCI5* challenge,” said Burghley’s Event Director Martyn Johnson.

“He was never out of the top three here in any of his runs, and he and Oliver have given the sport and his fans some memorable performances which will always stand up as some of the greatest Burghley moments. We very much look forward to giving Thomas a proper retirement at this year’s event.”

Thomas will stay at Oliver’s Shropshire base in retirement.

“To be involved with a horse of this calibre is a privilege for anyone,” said his part-owner Karyn Shuter. “No one could have dreamt about what he has gone on to achieve.

“He will never be forgotten, and I will always hear his neigh when he hears my car pull up in Oliver’s yard.”

Oliver described him as his “horse of a lifetime”.

“I am very proud that he is bowing out from competition while he is fit and well,” he added. “It will be lovely to be able to bring him back to Burghley this autumn for a retirement ceremony and so that all his fans can enjoy seeing him once again.

“I think he will love the whole thing and will think he has won another Burghley!”

Images by Tim Wilkinson & Trevor Holt

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