Louise Bell remains enthusiastic about her eight-year-old dressage horse Peaky Blinder, a son of Uthopia who echoes the qualities of Valegro. Despite early injuries, the horse has secured notable wins in recent competitions. Bell describes him as a 'gift from God' with exceptional trainability.
In 2019, on a cold winter's day, Louise Bell expressed high hopes for her home-bred yearling, calling him “absolutely spectacular – he’s the golden child.” Seven years on, that promise is materializing with Peaky Blinder, now an eight-year-old dressage horse known at home as Duggy. Owned jointly with friend Denise Reynolds, the Uthopia son has faced setbacks, including a tendency for “self-harm” as a four- and five-year-old that led to injury-related breaks from competition. Despite this light competition history, Peaky Blinder has shown strong potential. Last year, he won the international young horse division at the Wellington Premier League. Since stepping up to higher levels in July, he has achieved three wins in prix st georges (PSG) and two at inter I, with scores approaching 70%—a section header in the article asks, “Could Peaky Blinder be Louise Bell’s Valegro?” Bell, aged 54, praises his character: “He’s a gift from God... He’s such a trier – he has ‘Uti’s’ trainability – and he’s such a kind horse.” Her enthusiasm remains undiminished, highlighting his kindness and work ethic as key to his rising star status in dressage.
