This striking, tall and blood looking horse is by Wido and out of a Newmarket Venture dam.
Bought in the spring of his 4yo year in 2021, he spent the summer at grass in Ireland before heading over to our UK base as a 5yo in 2022. Rufus was then given plenty of time to mature as a 5yo, and started his competitive career in the autumn with some unaffiliated events. In 2023 Rufus showed huge amounts of talent, but also that he needed time to mature mentally so Kate competed in some BE100 events and local jumping shows. In 2024, Rufus based with Matt Heath in Rutland and went from strength to strength. He effortlessly upgraded to Novice level, jumped clear around Osberton S2* and gained a top ten finish at Bicton L2* to round off a successful season. In 2025, the pair jumped double clear and placed around some Intermediate tracks, and jumped a super double clear at 3*. He rounded off the season with a good run at Osberton L3*.
For 2026, Rufus is back at DE HQ and will look to upgrade to Advanced level later in the season and work towards Blenheim 8/9YO S4* before being marketed.
This is a lovely big horse was started off slowly to give him time to mature and develop, and he is your classic “5* stamp”. Although he still needs time to develop on the flat, he has enormous scope and it seems there is just not a fence big enough for him! Coupled with his naturally quick and brave attitude cross country, he looks set to be a horse we will see around the biggest of tracks in the years to come.
