A packed Sentower Park saw Ornellaia kick off the event in spectacular fashion. The For Pleasure mare, who had great success with John Whitaker and competed at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, attracted bids of up to €75,000 even before the auction has started, but that was just the beginning. Louis De Cleene brought the hammer down at €136,000 for the still-vital mare. The bidding war was won over the phone by the British-based Old Lodge Stud, founded by the late Prince Torki Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Kabeer of Saudi Arabia and now led by his son, Prince Sultan.
John Whitaker delighted
Ornellaia is a welcome addition to Old Lodge’s breeding program, and John Whitaker is thrilled with the acquisition. “My daughter pointed out that Ornellaia was going to be auctioned, and that got the ball rolling. I ride horses for Old Lodge. Prince Sultan is very interested in the sport and has taken over his father’s role. That mare still means so much to me. She has such a great mentality, always happy, ears always forward. I really like her. I’m pleased she’s going to such a nice place, and that we’ll be able to see her and her future foals,” said Whitaker, who followed the auction online.
The excitement continued with Ornellaia’s first filly, Coeur d’Or Z (Connor), purchased via phone for €66,000 by a well-known German journalist and horse breeder.
Son of Azur HH fetches €88,000
Confidence in proven bloodlines remained strong. Loyal Flanders client and Olympic medal winner Peter Charles bid €88,000 for the first foal ever auctioned from the legendary Grand Prix mare Azur HH, ridden by McLain Ward. This stunning colt, Côte d’Azur HH Z (Cornet Obolensky x Thunder van de Zuuthoeve), will move to his new home at Heathcroft Farm.
Two fillies were sold for €66,000: alongside Coeur d’Or Z was Carte Blanche van ’t Gelutt (United Touch S x Heartbreaker), a granddaughter of the highly successful broodmare Secret Love Wonderland. Two others changed hands for €45,000: Uptowngirl v/d Nachtegaal Z (United Touch S x Coronado), out of a 1.55m Grand Prix mare, and Diadole QC Z (Diamant de Semilly x Darco), out of the full sister to Winningmood (1.60m Grand Prix). The colts Jambo V.V. Z (J-Nius x Cornet Obolensky) and Victory VG (Comme il Faut x Indoctro) each brought in €38,000.
Global sales reach
In total, 33 out of 34 jumping foals were sold, 14 of them via online bidding. The international interest was striking, with sales to Argentina (3), USA, Mexico, UAE, Egypt (2), UK (2), Ireland (3), France, Spain (2), Switzerland (4), Germany (3), Belgium (7), the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia and Denmark (2).
Flanders Foal Auction has four more auctions scheduled this season. The upcoming collection for Peelbergen on Saturday, June 28, also promises to be of exceptional quality.
Top Prices – Flanders Foal Auction, Saturday, June 14, 2025:
1. Ornellaia (For Pleasure) €136000
9. Côte d’Azur HH Z (Cornet Obolensky) €88000
2. Coeur d’Or Z (Connor) €66000
29. Carte Blanche van ‘t Gelutt (United Touch S) €66000
33. Uptowngirl v/d Nachtegaal Z (United Touch S) €45000
36. Diadole QC Z (Diamant de Semilly) €45000
21. Jambo V.V. Z (J-Nius Z) €38000
32. Victory VG (Comme il Faut) €38000
22. Candyflash DW Z (Catoki) €34000
14. Cordula van’t Pardassenhof (Chacco Blue) €32000
16. Candy Florale van WW Z (Cornet Obolensky) €30000
More results: https://flandersfoalauction.be/en/veiling/Flanders-Foal-Auction-at-Sentower-Park-88