Host Holger Hetzel looked back on the auction with great satisfaction. “This is already the fifth time Flanders Foal Auction has organised an auction during my event and I can only say that partnering with them has been an excellent decision. Flanders has built a strong reputation, and so have we. Together we strengthen one another because we share the same vision and both work with highly dedicated teams. That is reflected in the results.”
Record number of competitors and visitors
The auction took place during the Tiemeyer x Holger Hetzel Young Horse Masters, a young horse competition that continues to grow in prestige every year. With a prize fund of €200,000, this year’s edition attracted a record number of competitors. Large crowds also found their way to Goch, making Saturday evening once again the perfect setting to auction 35 carefully selected foals.
Foals were sold to buyers from eleven different countries, including South Africa and Chile. Germany was the largest market with nine purchases. Even Grand Prix riders Marco Kutscher and Johannes Ehning secured a foal. As they did last year, Holger Hetzel and Uwe Schmitz purchased two foals together, which will be auctioned later this year for charity during the Holger Hetzel Sport Horse Sales.
Higher average online
Twenty foals were sold on site at an average price of €22,450, while the twelve foals sold online achieved an impressive average of €28,500.
Fillies dominate the top five
The five highest-priced foals were all fillies. Cornetta Z (Cornet Obolensky) topped the auction at €50,000 and was sold to Spain. Also heading to Spain is Uraya E4U Z (Untouched x Diamant de Semilly), bred out of the full sister to Emerald, for €36,000.
For €42,000, Unibelle Field (United Touch S x Uricas van de Kattevennen) is sold to a client from Saudi Arabia. Her granddam Colibelle Hero Z jumps 1.60m Grand Prix with Darragh Kenny and is a half-sister to Oak Grove’s Heartfelt (1.65m GP) and Arac du Seigneur (1.60m GP). Purchased by an online bidder from Chile for €40,000 was United de Montana Z (United Touch S x Baloubet du Rouet), bred out of the full sister to Akarad Hero, Don’t Touch Tiji Hero and Drummer TN.
Two fillies realised €38,000: Azraelle v/h Franciscushof Z (Aganix du Seigneur x Indoctro), a half-sister to two 1.50m level jumpers, and Ushua E4U Z (United Touch S x Diamant de Semilly), bred out of the full sister to Olympic stallion Quickly de Kreisker.
New collection online
The next Flanders Foal Auction will take place next Saturday, 1 August, at Sentower Park. One week later, on Friday 7 August, the Flanders Embryo Auction will be held in Dublin. The new foal collection is already available to view at www.flandersfoalauction.be.