2015 Futurity evaluations kick off at Catherston
The first evaluation of the 2015 Baileys/BEF Futurity young horse evaluation series threw up seven elite premiums — the highest accolade — at Hampshire’s Catherston Stud.
Dressage foals dominated proceedings with Franky (pictured top) and Fascinize (For Romance x Don Frederico) both receiving elite scores of 9.3.
Franky, a filly by Fürst Romancier, was bred by Ange Felton from Upper Swanmore, near Southampton from Ange’s Flemmingh mare, Alexsis. Franky was produced for the Futurity by Ben St John-James.
Fascinize is owned by his Chesterfield-based breeder Joanne Hobson.
“Fascinize’s dam, Donna Diana has now had four foals; her first foal has just been awarded a state premium in Germany and she has two other foals by Fürstenball in Germany,” said Joanne. “She’s back in-foal to Fürstenball for 2016.
“I’m incredibly grateful to both Darren Mattia for producing the foal and to Christian Heinrich who found Donna Diana for me.”
Fascinize has been sold to Rory Carrol, for his daughter Fern — apprentice to Hannah Esberger — to ride.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The dressage colt foal Platinum Kapone (Alexandro P x Rotspon) attained an elite of 9.1 for owner/breeder Louise Davies of Platinum Stud in Hampshire.
Louise said: “Platinum Kapone’s dam, elite Ronja B is a wonderful mare, and putting her to Alexandro P has resulted in a lovely foal. She is back in-foal to him for next year.”
Sarah Oppenheimer’s dressage colt foal, Headmore Bugatti (Belissimo M x Damon Hill) also gained 9.1. The family were returning to the Futurity after a decade.
“We haven’t been for 10 years, as we’ve been focussing on the ridden side of things,” explained Sarah. “We really thought Bugatti was very nice, so decided to take him.
“We’re thrilled at how well he did and will take him back to the Futurity as a three-year-old for hopeful selection on to the Futurity Equine Bridge. Alice is very much looking forward to his ridden career.”
Bugatti is out of Sarah’s Damon Hill mare, Daylight, purchased from James Crawford.
Top of the yearlings at Catherston and the only non-foal to score an elite premium was Elisabeth Sweet’s Javanica (Sandro Hit x Fürst Heinrich).
Javanica is an embryo transfer daughter from Elisabeth’s dressage mare, Fari.
“I’m very pleased with Javanica’s mark, I only started breeding three years ago as a hobby. My mare, Fari, competed to advanced medium level, although she is now retired and in-foal to Blue Hors Zack for 2016,” said Elisabeth, who runs Ladyswood Dressage and plans to keep Javanica and back her herself.
Catherston’s owner, Jennie Loriston-Clarke registered success on home soil for her filly foal, Catherston @ Tiffany’s. The Timolin x Sir Donnerhall dressage offspring scored 9.05.
“This year is Timolin’s first crop of foals and we are very pleased that the two we entered for the Futurity, Catherston @ Tiffany’s and Catherston Timpany [who gained an eventing higher first] did so well. We are very excited about Catherston @ Tiffany’s; she has great swing and elasticity coupled with a lovely nature.”
Timolin, now four, himself attained three elite Futurity premiums. Tiffany’s dam is the Sir Donnerhall mare Sweetheart. She was bought from Brightwells auction and, now seven, is competing at advanced medium.
Olympic blood shines through
The only non-dressage elite of the day went to the eventing foal, Cornish Princess (Latin King x Rock King). Bridget Parker’s third-generation home-bred — from the family of her 1972 Olympic team gold horse, Cornish Gold — scored 9.04.
Bridget said: “Cornish Faer, who was on the short-list for the Atlanta Olympics, competed at both Badminton and Burghley with my daughter Katie Burton. Faer was the daughter of Cornish Gold’s full-sister, Tregea. Cornish Gem is the daughter of Cornish Faer, and now we have Cornish Princess.”
Katie is competing Cornish Princess’ uncle and half-brother, Cornish Daybreak and Cornish Curtis in the Hartpury CCI* this week.
The top two-year-old at Catherston was Elisabeth Ahn’s dressage filly, River of Love EA (Franziskus x Sandro Hit) who scored a higher first premium of 8.9. She was produced by Darren Mattia.
The three-year-old gelding, Three Chimneys Esquire (Le Rouge x Elitaer) took a higher first premium of 8.85 for owner and breeder, Marion Fuller. This is the third time Three Chimneys Esquire has attained a higher first premium at the Futurity.
Also scoring 8.85 was best showjumper, the two-year-old colt, Sir James Bond (Sir Caprimond x Lucky Champ) for owner and breeder, Caroline Crane.
Visit www.britishbreeding.org for full details and results.
Futurity dates and venues 2015
1 August – Catherston Stud, Hampshire
2 August – Chelwood Equestrian, East Sussex
3 August – Writtle College, Essex
4 August – The College, Keysoe, Bedfordshire
7 August – Tall Trees Arena, Cornwall
9 August – Hartpury College, Gloucestershire
11 August – Arena UK, Lincolnshire
12 August – Richmond Equestrian Centre, North Yorkshire
13 August – Myerscough College, Lancashire
14 August – Southview Equestrian Centre, Cheshire
17 & 18 August – Solihull Riding Club, West Midlands
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
