Proven Track Record

Success Stories

A good sale doesn't end when the horse leaves the yard. These are some of the horses O'Connor Horses has sourced, produced and matched to the right riders.

Capital Moonlight

Sold 2024

Stable name “Moonlight”

Capital Moonlight is a very special horse to me. He was part of the very first Capital Stud auction, where Henning Pretorius gave me the opportunity to ride a select group of horses and choose my favourite. Moonlight was my standout pick.

Henning entrusted me with producing him for the sale, where he became the top-priced horse of the auction. Two years later, Moonlight returned to Capital Stud, and I was given the opportunity to continue our partnership.

Together, we achieved some incredible milestones. As a seven-year-old, he won both the Potential Young Horse title and the Seven-Year-Old Championship. With the support of Rotoflow, we campaigned him in Europe, where he progressed successfully into the 1.40m ranks.

Back in South Africa, Moonlight continued to shine, moving up to 1.50m and winning the FEI World Cup Series as an 11-year-old, which earned us an invitation to compete at the FEI World Cup in Texas, USA.

He was later sold locally and is now competing successfully with junior rider Isabella Saunders. Watching his continued success is incredibly rewarding, and I am proud to have been part of his journey from the very beginning.

Outcome: Top-priced horse at the first-ever Capital Stud auction; FEI World Cup Series winner at 1.50m.
New home: Sold locally — now competing successfully with junior rider Isabella Saunders.

Illiano

Sold 2024

Stable name “Illy”

I was very grateful to receive the ride of Illiano at the end of 2023. We started off our competition career in 2024 and it's been nothing but a blessing to have such a kind-hearted stallion holding my hand around the biggest tracks I've jumped so far.
Illy has taken me from 1m35 to 1m50 Grand Prix's. He's had two riders in the past jumping World Cups, and I intend to be his third and last rider in his career! Illy has been the most amazing partner and I think very highly of him. I value his personality and attitude towards every ride we have together, and he owes me nothing! He's respected amongst many people at CCE and in the riding industry. He is the king and I adore him dearly.
Illy may be a stallion, but to me he's like a puppy — he is so well behaved and knows exactly when to do his job! Love you my boy.
Zara-Didi Lurie

Outcome: Competing at 1.50m Grand Prix level.
New home: Sold to Zara-Didi Lurie.

Cornerstone's Midgard Zhakiro

Sold 2021

Stable name “Zhak”

We bought Cornerstone's Midgard Zhakiro from Kelly O'Connor a few years ago, after she had broken him in and produced him up into the open grades. I matched Zhakiro with Divan Bosman, and it has been a fantastic partnership. Cornerstone's Midgard Zhakiro has won us numerous titles and has been an exceptional competition horse. We couldn't be happier with him, or with the professional and seamless experience of purchasing through Kelly.
Anthon Hoek

Outcome: SA Junior Individual Champion 2024 — Jnr Open 1.35m, with Divan Bosman.
New home: Matched with Divan Bosman.

Capital Clifton

Sold 2020

Stable name “Cliffy”

We bought Cliffy in 2020 for my daughter Olivia. Kelly's production job was brilliant, from day one he was brave, careful, and confident! Having taken Olivia from 80cm to Junior Open, I have now taken over the ride, and Cliffy is just awesome — super clever and game in the ring. Thank you Kelly for producing such a fabulous horse for our family.
Vanessa Lyon

Outcome: Produced from 80cm to Junior Open.
New home: Sold to the Lyon family in 2020.

Los Valientos

Sold 2019

Stable name “Valient”

Looking back on Valient's first photos now (a gangly almost 2-year-old, with a mix of brown, grey and white hair with a head slightly too big for his body), I am not quite sure how I could have fallen in love with him as instantly as I did, but wow did I absolutely adore him from the moment we met. Since then he has blossomed into the most incredible athlete and friend that has not only changed my life, but so many people that have known him and worked with him up until now.
Valient won the 6-year-old YHPS Show Jumping as well as the Potential sector. He is currently successfully competing in the 1.35m jumping division and was reserve champion at his last show. Valient has incredible presence with his striking looks and kind nature. People often say that horses make dreams come true and, in the deepest way, this is what he has done for me.
It is not often that you find a horse so kind still being an absolute machine in the ring. It is an absolute privilege and honour to own a horse such as him that just keeps giving. I am forever grateful for Kelly and Celeste for breeding him and trusting me enough to sell him to me.
Carolyn van Schalkwyk

Outcome: 6-year-old YHPS Show Jumping & Potential winner; competing at 1.35m.
New home: Sold to Carolyn van Schalkwyk.

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