Woodlander Farouche has not been sold, say connections
Connections have refuted rumours that Woodlander Farouche, the new five-year-old world champion, has been sold.
A rumour circulating this week on the internet suggested that the horse had been sold for an estimated €5m to British dressage star Laura Bechtolsheimer.
But the rider is currently denying this is the case. “I wish!” she said. “It’s not true.”
Farouche became the first British-bred horse to take gold at the FEI World Breeding Championships for young horses, in Verden, Germany, at the weekend (6 August).
Bred and part-owned by Lynne Crowden the five-year-old Hanovarian by Furst Heinrich is currently ridden by 24-year-old Michael Eilberg.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Michael told H&H. “I’ve no idea where this rumour has come from.”
And Lynne posted on the British Dressage forum: “I can say categorically that this mare is not sold to anyone. There was and is a lot of interest in her, but we are looking at several options including further shares of ownership.
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“In my mind she is almost without value as I always thought that she was remarkable with no weaknesses and with a convincing mechanic behind and not just flashy in front. Having seen her operate in Verden, I know I am prejudiced, but I think she is the best in the world, whatever age, and there may never be another like her.
“Her foals carry her stamp clearly and to me as a breeder and to the other owners, she is special in every respect.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.