Aidan Larkin of Wilsons Auctioneers, which specialises in resolving contested ownership cases, told H&H: “The minute Uthopia’s sale was public knowledge, we were inundated with interest from the UK, from France, from Holland — from all regions.”
Having competed around the globe, the sale of the 15-year-old stallion by Metall has attracted attention from all quarters. The auction will take place on 27 May in Northern Ireland, but Uthopia will remain at Carl Hester’s yard up to and during the sale.
“It’s simply that he goes to the highest bidder,” Aidan confirmed to H&H. “What he’s worth to one person may be very different to what he’s worth to someone else.”
So will the identity of the horse’s new owner be revealed after the auction?
“The final sale price will be there for the world to see, but the new owner may not wish to reveal themselves,” said Aidan. “And the horse may or may not be moved from Carl’s place, where he has been very well looked after for so long.