Ballaghmor Class, the exceptional grey gelding who carried Oliver Townend to four five-star victories, including two at Defender Burghley Horse Trials, will be officially celebrated with a retirement ceremony in the Main Arena at Defender Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, Lincolnshire, on Sunday, 6 September.
The ceremony follows the announcement of the 19-year-old’s retirement from eventing, revealed today (29 January) by Townend in Horse & Hound. Known affectionately at home as “Thomas”, Ballaghmor Class leaves the sport as one of the most successful CCI5* horses of the modern era.
Ridden by Townend, Ballaghmor Class claimed victories at Defender Burghley in 2017 and 2023, Defender Kentucky in 2021 and MARS Maryland in 2024. The pair also played a pivotal role in Britain’s Olympic team gold medal success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Bred in Ireland by Noel Hickey, Ballaghmor Class is by Courage II out of an I’m A Star mare and finished in the top five at CCI5* level on an impressive 11 occasions during his career.
“Thomas is the horse of a lifetime and I am very proud that he is bowing out from competition while he is fit and well,” said Townend. “He first made his mark on the eventing world when winning Burghley as a 10-year-old on his CCI5* debut in 2017, and to return six years later, having won eventing Olympic team gold for Britain in Tokyo, and triumph again was incredible.
“As the scene of two of his four CCI5* victories, Burghley is a very special place for Thomas, for me and for his owners, Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan. It will be lovely to bring him back this autumn so that all his fans can enjoy seeing him once again. I think he will love the whole thing and believe he has won another Burghley.”
Defender Burghley Event Director Martyn Johnson added: “Ballaghmor Class epitomises the definition of a true CCI5* horse. He was never out of the top three at Burghley and consistently rose to the occasion over one of the sport’s toughest tests. Together, he and Oliver have delivered some of the most memorable moments in Burghley history, and we are delighted to be able to give him the retirement he deserves.”
Ballaghmor Class will remain with Townend at his Shropshire base in retirement. Part-owner Karyn Shuter said: “To be involved with a horse of this calibre is an absolute privilege. No one could have imagined what he would go on to achieve. He will never be forgotten, and I will always hear his neigh when he hears my car arrive at the yard.”
Defender Burghley Horse Trials is a highlight of the summer social calendar, combining world-class eventing with exceptional shopping, food and drink, family-friendly attractions and elegant hospitality, all set within the historic grounds of Burghley House.
For more information about Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2026, taking place from 3–6 September, visit www.burghley-horse.co.
