It was nearly half past midnight when the last horse entered the arena, but the VIP section was still full and this mare was also sold. “It was a very successful auction, where the horses presented themselves well. We managed to select talented horses, but they still have to prove themselves during free jumping tonight and they did. Online activity was strong. The bids kept coming in, which created a solid foundation for the auction. In total, 80% of the horses were sold on-site and 20% online,” said Lore Penders, who organizes the auction together with Michel Spaas and Kevin Gielen.
The auction drew considerable attention from parents and trainers of international youth riders competing that weekend at Sentower Park. Many promising jumpers have now been secured for their future. For instance, Trots SSV (Taloubet), a half-brother to two 1.45m level showjumping horses, was knocked down by Louis De Cleene for €85,000. He’s heading to Ennisnag Studin Kilkenny, Ireland. “He’s for my son, Charlie Flynn, who had a great weekend here with the ponies and won the Nations Cup with his team. It’s our first time buying at this auction. I wanted to get something special for him, but definitely a stallion, since we also run a stud.”
Dutchmen and former rider Wim Vos (father of Bethany Vos, runner-up in the Pony Grand Prix) and Bart Bles joined forces on-site to secure Sir Landino (Landino VDL) for €55,000. Buzz about the three-year-old stallion had been building before the auction and he showed again during the live jumping why: a jumper with sublime technique and exceptional athletic scope.
Another standout, Wovita van het Bildeken (United Touch S x Chacoon Blue), went to Norway for €48,000. Sweden led the buyer’s list with seven purchases.
Dutch buyers secured four horses, including the 3-year-old high-quality chestnut mare P Cupcake Z (Piece of Cake M x Willow). Belgian buyers claimed five horses, three are headed to Poland, and others were sold to the Emirates, Morocco, the United States, France and Germany for example.
For all prices, visit www.horseauctionbelgium.com.