São Paulo, Brazil – June 24, 2025 – Olympic medal-winning horse Ilex has returned to the Bonne Chance barn and their team with the intention to have the twelve-year-old gelding represent Brazil once again. Ashford Farm’s Marlon Módolo Zanotelli is honored to take over the reins and fly the flag for his home country aboard this illustrious jumper.
Brilliant Partnership
“It is such a privilege to get to ride such an incredible horse and to continue his already amazing career for the years to come”, says Marlon. Ashford Farm’s owner, Enda Carroll, is also excited about the collaboration. “ We are very grateful for the trust that Gilberto Sayao has placed in us. To be able to add such prestigious jumper to Marlon’s string of horses is absolutely fantastic. We consider Ilex to be one of the best horses in the world and it is a great honor to be a part of his journey.”
Continuing Career
Ilex (Baltic VDL x Chin Chin) has had a tremendously successful partnership with American rider Mclain Ward (USA) for two seasons, with top earnings among which a second place in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen CSIO 5* and a silver team medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2025 the duo placed fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix CSIO 5* in Geneva and represented the winning U.S. team at the Nations Cup CSIO 5* in Ocala.
“We aim to reach great heights with Ilex and hopefully represent Brazil at major events, championships and perhaps even the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles”, Marlon concludes.
Source: Press Release by Eva van den Adel for the Ashford Group
Photo: © Ashford Group
