Mark Todd. The man who was declared Rider of the 20th Century by the International Equestrian Federation, is as much of a legend in the equestrian world as fellow New Zealander Edmund Hillary was in mountaineering circles. And he's a legend that is hoping to come to Hong Kong this August to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic equestrian events.
Todd, Olympic gold medallist in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, retired from the international eventing circuit in 2000 after claiming individual bronze at the Sydney Olympics. Now, eight years down the line and at the age of 51, he has decided to dust off his boots and return to the fray in a bid to make it a hat-trick of Olympic gold.
Born in rural Cambridge on the North Island of New Zealand in 1956, Todd had hopes of becoming a jockey. But his lanky 188cms frame meant he had to abandon the racing world - temporarily as it turned out - and he went into show jumping. But it was when he turned his attention to eventing that the equestrian world sat up and took notice of him.
At the age of 24 he made his debut at the prestigious Badminton three-day event in Britain - and won. From then on he became an almost unstoppable force, going on to claim those two Olympic titles, two more Badminton wins and no fewer than five wins at Burghley, the feature event on the British autumn circuit, as well as individual gold at the Open European championships in 1997. He was also a member of New Zealand's gold medal winning teams at the world equestrian games in 1990 and 1998.
Despite his height, Todd produced his best performances with a horse that was little more than a pony. Charisma measured in at just 158cms, but he had the heart of a champion and was Todd's winning ride in both Seoul and Los Angeles.
After more than 20 years in Britain, Todd moved back to New Zealand and started training and breeding racehorses, with a success not dissimilar to his triumphs on the eventing scene.
Todd's racing wins were not just on home turf, however. Izzat, which won twice for Todd in New Zealand and was placed in a Group 1 race as a three-year-old, was sold to Hong Kong trainer Paul O'Sullivan, who sent him out as the renamed Vital King to win last year's Mercedes Benz Derby at Sha Tin for owner Mr Chong Man Lung.
A mare bought by Todd produced The Duke, which was sold at the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling sales and then sold on at The Hong Kong Jockey Club's International Sales before going on to win multiple Group 1 races, including the 2006 Cathay Pacific International Mile. And He Can Tango, a horse bred by Todd, has found the Sha Tin winning post three times for Mr Kwok Chung Wai, again in the hands of Todd's compatriot Paul O'Sullivan.
Even though his horses with a Todd connection have been winning on Hong Kong soil, the man himself has never set foot here. But he is hoping to change all that come August. The purchase of a new horse, the 10-year-old Gandalf, and sponsorship from New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd, has put Todd back on the circuit. And he's hoping for gold in Hong Kong.
The link between Todd's new sponsors, New Zealand Bloodstock and The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a lengthy one. NZB assists the Club each year with its purchase of New Zealand Thoroughbreds for the annual Hong Kong International Sale at Sha Tin and NZB is the exclusive air-freight company for the Club.
"It is our privilege to sponsor such an iconic New Zealand horseman as Mark Todd", Petrea Vela, NZB's Marketing & PR Manager said, "and we are delighted that he is having another shot at Olympic glory. He's a wonderful role model for the equine industry, and for New Zealand, and we will be offering all the support we can to help him succeed in Hong Kong.
"New Zealand Bloodstock has enjoyed a long and successful association with the Hong Kong racing industry and The Hong Kong Jockey Club. It is very fitting that we should be sponsoring him there this year and we wish him the very best of luck."
Todd will have his work cut out to make it to the starting gate for this year's Olympics however. He not only has to qualify for the Games, he has to prove to the selectors that he has lost none of the magic that brought him so many triumphs in the past. But determination is something he has in spades.
"I've never been to Hong Kong and I can't think of a better time to do it than for the Olympic equestrian events", said Todd. "I know it's going to be hot there in August, but Olympic competition is always hot, and I've heard that the facilities provided by The Hong Kong Jockey Club are second to none and the veterinary experts have done everything possible to minimise the effects of the climate on the horses. I can't wait to go. All I need to do now is get selected!"
