Man Williams’ famous person puissance trip Mr Blue Sky UK has a brand new residence and new rider – however will nonetheless tackle the pink wall with Man.
Blue, who has received 9 worldwide puissances with Man together with 4 on the London Worldwide Horse Present whereas owned by Caroline and Rupert Phillips, has been purchased by Elaine Annis, who advised H&H she “fell in love with him inside 5 minutes”. He’s dwelling with Elaine, and will likely be competed at nationwide stage by Charlotte Walker, however will return to Man for puissances, and possibly a shot on the Hickstead Derby this summer season.
“I at all times assume that with a partnership as formidable as theirs, why would you alter it?” Elaine mentioned.
Elaine owns Noctambule Courcelle, referred to as Nigel, who additionally received the London puissance, in 2012 with Ben Maher, and competed in it with Man in 2014. Nigel remains to be dwelling with Elaine in retirement, and is now Blue’s neighbour.
“My pal Charlotte was in Portugal just lately and so they occurred to be spherical a desk,” Elaine mentioned. “Man requested how Nigel was and Charlotte mentioned he’s retired but when the precise puissance horse got here alongside, I would like one other one, and he mentioned ‘What about Blue?’
“He mentioned he’d communicate to Caroline, then I went to see him. I believe inside 5 minutes, I’d fallen in love with him, and mentioned ‘I’m having him’.”
Man mentioned he’s trying ahead to including to Blue’s puissance file.
“I’m very grateful to Caroline and Rupert for his or her assist for therefore lengthy,” he mentioned.
“However the alternative got here up for Elaine to purchase him, and if every part goes to plan we’ll head to Hickstead too. It’s good to know he’s in a educated residence with Elaine, which is what he deserves.”
Man Williams using Mr Blue Sky UK within the Cayenne Puissance
Blue, who’s now 15, competed within the Hickstead Derby with Man in 2022, ending eleventh, and Elaine thinks that having been around the course, he’ll know what to anticipate this 12 months.
“He’s a puissance specialist, however by no means say by no means!” she mentioned, including that it was Blue’s nature that she fell in love with.
“As Man has mentioned, he’s spooky and sharp, however he’s obtained a coronary heart of gold,” she mentioned. “He nuzzles via your pockets, places his prime lip up and laughs at you; he’s obtained a stunning persona, my kids can lead him round.
“I believe with puissances, it’s the joys of it. I really like Nigel and he obtained me hooked on it. They are saying you get one horse of a lifetime and I can’t consider I is perhaps fortunate sufficient to finish up with two. It’s beautiful.”
Caroline, from Stud UK Euro in Kent, advised H&H she noticed Blue marketed as a five-year-old, rang the vendor and purchased him.
“I’ve 40 years expertise of breeding and younger horses leap which supplies me an eye fixed to see actual expertise,” she mentioned.
“The gray horse I had purchased had a lot leap, all I might see was the blue sky, and that’s how he obtained his title as he wasn’t named when he came to visit from Europe. The UK suffix was added, as you possibly can see on different Stud UK Euro horses. Mr Blue Sky UK went on to be ridden by Man Williams, who I’ve had an excellent relationship with for 40 years; he beat the very best on the planet, at Bordeaux on my horse Zaire .
“Mr Blue Sky has been a horse of a lifetime for me in profitable so many puissances. We want Elaine all the easiest.”
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Credit score: LIHS / Peter Nixon
Credit score: Getty Photos
Credit score: LIHS / Peter Nixon
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