British future secured for Carl Hester’s exciting young stallion
Shares in the exciting British-bred young stallion U-Genius have been sold to two of Carl Hester’s long-term supporters.
Roly Luard, co-owner of Valegro, and Anne Seifert-Cohn are now co-owners of the four-year-old stallion with Carl and Claire Hester.
U-Genius is by Uthopia, who Carl rode in the London 2012 Olympics, and out of Weidyfleur II, Valegro’s only breeding full sister. He was bred by Claire (who used to be married by Carl’s step father) in 2011.
“Although there was never any question of him being sold abroad he has received a lot of interest and this newly formed syndicate will ensure U-Genius’ future is in British hands,” Claire told H&H.
“Apart from being directly related to gold medal winners on both sides of his pedigree, he shows enormous promise in his own right.
“Carl is very excited by his future prospects, saying this may be the last he horse he will take from grass roots to grand prix.”
Roly has invested in horses for Carl over many years, as well as co-owning dressage superstar Valegro, who holds world records for all three types of grand prix competition, she also owned Escapado, who partnered Carl at the Athens Olympics in 2004, the Hagen European Championships in 2005 and won the national champion title in 2004.
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Anne, with whom Carl was based for several years, is also co-owner of Barolo with Carl. Barolo recently made a winning grand prix debut with Charlotte Dujardin at Hartpury Festival of Dressage premier league grand prix (9 July).
U-Genius will move to Carl’s yard in autumn, having been brought on slowly at home by Claire and Amy Woodhead.
“U-Genius is a licensed stallion and it is hoped his first progeny will be on the ground next year; I have also recently bred his full sister,” added Claire.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.