In October, Oliver Townend competed with Ballaghmor Class at the CCI5*-L in Pau, finished second in the dressage, and had eleven penalty points for a triggered safety system in the cross-country and drops in jumping. But the 18-year-old Irishman finished the test – just like 41 (!) before. This was the last of his career, a great career comparable to that of Michael Jung’s Sam.
Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class were active in international sport for eleven years. In 2014, Townend released the then seven-year-old Irish gray horse. He trained him. They didn’t miss a single season – except for the Corona year 2020. When Ballaghmor Class won Burghley at the first attempt as a ten-year-old, the test was still a four-star test. But the requirements were as high as today with five stars.
The Ballaghmor Class achievement list
“Thomas” won Burghley not once, but twice. In addition, he was second once and third once. Burghley four times and not only finished all of them, but also a top three finish each time – that alone is outstanding.
The two competed even more often in badminton, the legendary eventing event that is considered the hardest in the world. Here they competed five times, were second twice and fifth twice. In 2025 they finished the course without any obstacles and with only a few time errors, but before the second constitutional test Townend withdrew the gelding, who was already 18 years old at the time.
In 2021, Townend and Ballaghmor Class won the CCI5*-L in Kentucky before taking team gold at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2024, the pair won the still relatively new CCI5*-L in Maryland, USA. The two of them completed 13 five-star tests, eleven of which were in the top five.
Townend said after the victory in Maryland that he wished he could ride the Irishman for another ten years and then retire with him from the sporting stage. But then Ballaghmor would be Class 29. Now he says goodbye at 19. An official ceremony is planned for the Burghley weekend. “Thomas” will be celebrated for the last time on Sunday, September 6th.
Oliver Townends „Milton“
Opposite Horse & Hound said Oliver Townend, Ballaghmor Class, an Irish son of Courage II, had made his childhood dreams come true. “I was lucky enough to ride some very good horses and I had good success before him. But with him I had my career highlight.” With it he achieved goals that he never thought he could achieve. “I never thought I’d make it to the Olympics. It was always about competing in five-star tournaments and being able to make a living from it. But performing like he did from start to finish is what made him a star within the sport. And the Olympics made him a star outside of the sport too.”
Now the main thing is to keep the mold healthy and fit. “We will continue to employ him so that he is happy. He will stay with us for the rest of his life.”
Townend: “I grew up with John Whitaker and Milton. To me he is my Milton.”
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