“IT’s the end of a huge journey for us,” Greg Broderick told The Irish Field. “Going Global was part of our family since he was five years old.”

“We did what was almost impossible – to take an Irish-bred horse and produce him at home in Ireland and ride him to the highest level possible. That was really going against the grain and I have so much to thank Lee [Kruger] for,” said the Olympian.

“Going Global brought my career into the spotlight and has done so much for me. He has given me, my family and friends and people all over Ireland some great days. To jump a double clear and win the Aga Khan at our first attempt was the best feeling in the world. Nothing would come close to it.”

He continued: “To say goodbye to a horse that means so much is very, very hard but I have always looked at this as a businessman and there was an awful lot of money on the table. I love riding and competing but I also get a huge kick out of sales and so this was a very logical decision. He was my friend, we did so much together that I will miss him phenomenally.”

MHS Going Global is the only horse in the history of the Aga Khan Nations Cup to jump double clear rounds in two consecutive years.

“To achieve that with an Irish-bred horse in front of the home crowd in Dublin, it doesn’t get any better.”

CONNECTION

The Thurles man continued: “We made a connection when he was five years old and I had so much belief in him, even though he had plenty of critics as a young horse.

“I always felt he could be an Aga Khan and an Olympic horse. I am very proud that we were patient with him. We never put the gun to his head as a young horse, I am proud that we waited for him to be ready for his big days in the big rings with big jumps.”

He added: “It gives me great belief in what we do, our system, that we could take a horse in Ireland from jumping 1m classes right to Olympic Games. It shows that the programme and system we have works and we can do it here in Ireland.

“This sale should put Ireland back on the map as a place to source and produce top horses. Going Global was born, bred and produced here and now he’s going to one of the most high profile yards in the world – we need to make the most of it.”

The gelding’s new owner flew into Shannon on a private jet to try Junior at Ballypatrick two weeks ago, when Edwina Tops-Alexander also rode the Irish-bred Lanaken world champion Killossery Kaiden.

“They didn’t over-try him (Going Global), they knew what he can do in the ring but he did everything they asked. He learned a lot in 2016 and in Barcelona he showed he was definitely among the top five horses in the world. He was just finding a new level and hopefully he will continue onwards and upwards.

“He is going to a yard where the management is the best in the world and he will be well looked after.

“I wish and hope that Athina has every bit as much success and enjoyment with him as I did, I really do.

“I am so thankful to Lee that I had the opportunity to experience all of those things but we have a lot of horses coming up and this is the start of a new chapter.”