London Doubtful for McVean, Princess Delphi Sold to Saudi Arabia

Top Kiwi showjumper Katie McVean continues to set the equestrian world alight – this time in announcing the sale of her stunning home-bred mare Dunstan Delphi for an undisclosed multi-million dollar deal with the Saudis.

In what will surely be the most expensive horse ever sold out of New Zealand, nine-year-old Delphi is set to become a star for the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation who will co-own her with a yet un-named rider.

McVean and Delphi set records recently with their sixth equal placing at the World Cup final in Germany, and last year as New Zealand's best-ever performed showjumping combination at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Speaking from Holland this morning, 24-year-old McVean (Mystery Creek) says her horse was never intended for sale, but as soon as they had their first Europe outing in March, horse agents started asking.

“People were saying she looked to have the most scope of any of the horses jumping at the World Cup final and she was doing it with so little effort.”

The successful buyers had watched her go at the World Games in Kentucky and followed her progress.

“We came to Europe not wanting to sell her and I truly believe we were a huge chance for a medal at London with a little more experience on the European circuit,” she says. “The decision was a very very hard one to make.”

McVean, who is now ranked 101 in the world, says to compete on the likes of the Global Champions Tour is incredibly expensive.

“It was going to cost a fortune to do it and anything could happen.”

She has no doubt her intuitive and trusting steed knows something is up.

“She knows something is going on, and I've taken a ridiculous amount of photos of her over the past few days. But I'm very excited to see her go with her new rider and they've said if I ever want to see her I am most welcome.”

She will fly home with her father later this week.

“There is still a small chance, but I think I am going to have to give up on my London (Olympics) dream and start over. It has been my goal for a long time but if I tried to keep her and everything had gone wrong, I would have had nothing – this way I can set up for the future, and maybe next time I won't have to sell.”

At home in the Waikato, she has eight 'babies' who are all half siblings to Delphi.

“Now I need to get home and get them going.”

McVean says the support from her parents Jeff and Vicki, along with Delphi's co-owners Chris and Sandy Shore (Ashburton) had been incredible.

It has been an emotional ride for the Shores too, who were on hand to see Delphi go so well at the World Cup.

“It is definitely a mixture of happiness and sadness for us at the moment,” says Sandy Shore. “Our Delphi adventure is coming to an end and that is sad, but we're so happy that it has exceeded all our expectations. It wasn't an easy decision for everyone to make, but it was the right one.

“I feel we are so lucky to have been part of this incredible journey with not only an amazing horse but an equally brilliant rider. To be involved with the McVeans has been a fabulous experience.”

Jeff McVean, a past Olympian for Australia, said he had every faith in the future of his very talented daughter, who herself competed at the 2008 Beijing Games.

“Horses can break,” he says. “Katie is young, has a lot of nice horses at home and I think her talent has been a bit underrated. We just don't have all the money in the world to be able to support her and keep her going over here at this level.”

He said the sale was sad for Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) as the combination were favourites to help the nation qualify for the London Olympics.

“The horse was just such a sensation over here and what's even more special is that Katie started her from scratch. This is huge for New Zealand breeders for the future.”

ESNZ chief executive Jim Ellis understands the dilemma the McVeans and Shores have faced.

“Delphi’s value has increased with every performance the combination have put in. The sixth place at the World Cup final was probably NZ Showjumping’s greatest ever performance so of course it is sad to lose this quality of horse so close to the London Olympics. They've been under huge pressure as a result of the interest shown in Delphi and their decision is completely understandable.”

But Jeff McVean admits he's also heart-broken to see his 'Princess' go. McVean bred Delphi out of his own World Cup mare Flower Power, and from a very early age, he knew he had a superstar on his hands....and he was right.

Source: Diana Dobson