Cian O’Connor and Taj Mahal. Photo © Boss Mare Media.
Text © World of Showjumping
The super-talented 10-year-old stallion Taj Mahal (ex. Etoile van de Neerheide Z, Emerald x Quannan R – breeder Eric Van Giel) will now be seen with Keira Stoute, a British young rider aged 18.
Ireland’s Cian O’Connor acquired Taj Mahal in the summer of 2021 from Ludo Tielen, after Belgium’s Dieter Vermeiren had produced the horse up to 1.45m level. With O’Connor in the saddle, Taj Mahal has had several top results all the way up to five-star level – and last year the pair won the CSI4* 1.50m Preis des Hessischen Ministerpräsidenten in Wiesbaden, Germany, as well as the CSI3* 1.55m Henders and Hazel Grand Prix at Knokke Hippique, Belgium.
Commenting on the purchase, Sarah Stoute of Keysoe International in the UK said to World of Showjumping: “We are delighted to welcome a horse as talented and special as Taj Mahal to the Keysoe International stables. We are excited for his future career with Keira and would like to thank Cian & the whole team at Karlswood for their ongoing support.”
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