'superstar' Horse Eyes First Badminton Horse Trials Win

The Olympic golden medallist pairing of Ballaghmor Class, ridden by Oliver Townend, could go nan outright astir successful British operation successful eventing history astatine Badminton this weekend.

The brace person already enjoyed a distinguished career, claiming 4 five-star titles and starring Team GB to an historical Olympic golden badge astatine nan Tokyo Games.

The 18-year-old gelding has not been placed extracurricular of nan apical 5 connected his past 4 visits to Badminton, finishing runner-up twice.

And you tin watch highlights of nan 2025 Badminton Horse Trials connected Sunday, 11 May (BBC Two and iPlayer from 13:45 BST).

Townend, who has had nan equine he calls "Thomas" successful his gait since a four-year-old, told BBC Sport: "There's nary different measurement to picture Ballaghmor Class isolated from being a portion of nan family.

"He's very awkward to commencement pinch but I deliberation he's go rather alert that he's a superstar now.

"When nan wagon goes down nan roadworthy to a title and he's not successful it, he's banging nan unchangeable doorway down. Thomas is what you'd telephone a professional, a due title horse."

The "quirky" equine first gained attraction successful winning nan Burghley Horse Trials connected his debut astatine nan level successful 2017. He has since achieved occurrence astatine Kentucky, Burghley again and Maryland past autumn.

Townend, 42, has won 9 five-star level events, including Badminton successful 2009 connected Flint Curtis.

"For maine to effort to show nan world really bully he is, is my main occupation but, truthful acold truthful good. By nan clip he finishes everybody will realise rather what a typical equine we've seen," he added.

Townend is besides riding Ballaghmor Class' stablemate Cooley Rosalent successful a bid to declare his 2nd Badminton title and 10th five-star win.

Paris Olympic champions Laura Collett, Ros Canter and Tom McEwen are amongst nan challengers, alongside nan reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham.