ADVERTISEMENT: What is it like to organize an embryo auction at a tournament in Spain? The Flanders Foal Auction tried this out in February and will return next week to MET Oliva. The second Flanders Embryo Auction will take place on Saturday, November 7, with buyers also able to participate via live stream at the World Cup tournament in Šamorín, where the auction took place last year.
The collection includes 26 embryos that are all expected to be born in 2027. What they all have in common is that they are all closely related to 1.60-metre Grand Prix horses. „You can compare this collection with the one we presented in Dublin. The only difference is that we now have seven embryos directly from sport mares, whereas in Dublin there were ten. Altogether, this is an extremely strong group,“ say Luk Van Puymbroeck and Gerald Lenaerts.
The selection was based not only on the dam trees but also on the recipient mares. „They must be at least four years old and have a height of at least 1.60 m.“ The buyer of an embryo can have the foal registered in their name and choose the breeding book.
„Team Flanders does not make any predictions regarding prices. In February, the most expensive embryo was sold for 50,000 €. The average price was around 20,000 €. “We hope to have a great atmosphere again. Last time, all the tables were booked and everyone had a great evening. The special thing about this edition is that we will be broadcasting a live stream from the bar of the event in Šamorín. The visitors on site can participate after we have already held auctions there twice ourselves.„
Facts at a glance:
- The 26 embryos come from 14 different stallions.
- The most common pedigrees are United Touch S (5) and Cornet Obolensky (3).
- A new addition with two embryos is the 1.65-metre Grand Prix stallion Picobello van ’t Roosakker, ridden by Jason Smith.
- 7 embryos come from sport mares competing at 1.45-m to 1.60-m level.
- 14 mothers have already produced 1.45-m to 1.60-m Grand Prix horses.
- 12 grandmothers were active in sports (7 at 1.60 m level, 1 at 1.65 m and 1 at 1.70 m).
- 25 of the 26 (!) grandmothers produced Grand Prix horses (11 at 1.60 m level, 4 at 1.65 m and 1 at 1.70 m).
- 8 great-grandmothers jumped at Grand Prix level (1.60 m).
- 24 of the 26 great-grandmothers produced Grand Prix horses (1 at 1.45m level, 1 at 1.70m level and the rest at 1.60m level).
Curious about the collection? Visit:
https://flandersfoalauction.be/en/veiling/Flanders-Embryo-Auction-in-Spain-2026