…TOO MUCH CHAMPAGNE

IN H&H’s feature on buying horses at auction (26 April), Antonia Brown’s final advice was, “Don’t drink too much champagne before you bid”. However, it seems sometimes the bubbly helps.

Equine Elite Auction purchase Jilleke (pictured), a full sister to Imke Schellekens-Bartels’ Toots, impressed at Keysoe on her first ever outing. The Jazz x Havidoff daughter was the only horse to post an average of more than eight in Sunday’s four-year-old class, although she did drop to third when the horses were presented for a second time.

“Anand Patel sent me the auction brochure, from which she immediately caught my attention,” said owner Alison Jones. “I have a thing for black mares, and my long-suffering husband said, ‘Get her if you like her’.

“It was my first auction and it was a bit overwhelming, but the group of people we were with were encouraging, and Amy Bird made me get my boots out to have a ride. I was in love!

“The auction evening was a high-octane event, with lots of champagne flowing: when Jilleke came into the ring I knew what I was prepared to spend, even having consumed my body weight in champagne, so placed a bid and, hey presto, next thing I was the proud owner of this amazing horse.”

With her superlative walk and canter, Jilleke has flourished under rider Tahley Reeve-Smith, with Alison riding her once a week.