UTHOPIA, the gold medal-winning dressage stallion who was auctioned off to the highest bidder in Northern Ireland last month, is to remain at Carl Hester’s English yard, it has emerged today.

The horse was sold to an unidentified bidder for £165,000 (€217,000) on May 27th and, until now, it was unclear what the future held for him.

However an official statement from Carl Hester on social media in the past hour read:

“Apologies for the long wait, but it has been worth it.

“I can now confirm that Uthopia has been secured and will stay at home where he is much loved. Those involved wish to remain anonymous and I hope everyone will respect that, suffice to say I am enormously grateful to them.

Thank you all for your support, it has been overwhelming to know so many people care.

A very happy ending to a stressful time and will make my birthday celebrations tomorrow extra special!”

The 15-year-old KWPN stallion, who was competed by British stars Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, was part of a unreserved auction of luxury items by Wilsons Auctions.

‘Uti’ , a dark bay by Metall was sold by Tom Keenan (Keenan Corporate Finance) and James Neill (HNH Group), who held joint ownership of the stallion due to their respective roles as trustee in bankruptcy over two separate bankruptcy estates – Sasha Stewart and her father Derek Harrison.

The horse, who won a gold Olympic team medal at London 2012, was listed alongside a Cessna aircraft, several Lamborghinis, jewellery and Louis Vuitton luggage.

MORE ON THIS STORY INSIDE THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND