The Flanders Foal Auction, held on the evening of Saturday, July 26, marked its fourth consecutive edition in Goch, Germany. Just before the auction kicked off, Byblosh – K van Kattenheye Z (Bamako de Muze) made for a perfect promotional moment by finishing second in the final for six-year-old showjumpers at the ‘Tiemeyer x Holger Hetzel Young Horse Masters’ with Johannes Ehning. The grandson of Farah van Klapscheut (1.60m Grand Prix) was sold by Flanders Foal Auction in Bonheiden for €15,000.
Average of €25,200
Buyers at Hetzel Stables had to reach deeper into their wallets. Of the 30 foals offered, 26 were sold for an average price of €25,200. German buyers claimed no less than eleven foals. Clients from Argentina purchased three on-site. Three foals went to Belgian buyers. Poland, China and Ireland each accounted for two foals. One foal is heading to Brazil. Over 40% of the foals were sold online, underlining the strength and reach of Flanders Foal Auction’s digital platform.
For a good cause
The auction evening was full of highlights. Host Holger Hetzel and Uwe Smits of Frankonia Real Estate and also the owner of the luxurious hotel The Wellem in Düsseldorf, had already announced their plan to purchase a foal to later auction off at the Holger Hetzel Sport Horse Sales in support of the charity ‘RTL Wir Helfen Kindern’ (We help children). They initially had their eye on the Appaloosa, but “since auctions don’t always go as planned, we had a plan B and C,” Hetzel explained.
They kicked things off by purchasing Lot 1, El Loco Z (Ermitage Kalone x Diamant de Semilly), for €30,000. The colt is a half-sister to the nine-year-old Crazy in Love (1.50m level showjumping) who was auctioned by Holger Hetzel in 2023 for €1 million. Their plan succeeded when they secured the strikingly marked Joker v/d Nachtegaal Z (J-Nius V.V. Z x Chinchero) out of the Cumano line, for €25,000.
China battles up to €60,000
It was two online bidders from China who brought the fireworks when Ucolino V.V. Z (Untouched x Comme il Faut) entered the ring. The colt, bred by Evelyne Van Vreckom (who also bred and owns Joker’s sire J-Nius V.V. Z out of the same Ligie line), quickly fetched €60,000. Evelyne shares ownership with Doron Kuipers.
“I was given half of the pregnancy, as a result of the friendship and good cooperation we’ve built,” said the Dutch showjumper proudly. “It’s really special. I used to ride Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z for Gudrun Patteet, who now competes at 1.55m level. Evelyne owned Chica’s full sister, Cocolina V.V. Z, who is the dam of this auction colt. I started riding her just before she turned seven and we sold her when she was jumping at 1.40m level to Mark Bluman. She quickly racked up successes in the U.S. and is now competing at 1.50m level at age nine.”
“Friendship is about giving and taking,” said Evelyne Van Vreckom. “I’ve benefited so much from Doron’s advice and everything he does for me. This is a beautiful result and great promotion for my breeding program. I try to get people excited about the foals myself, but Flanders Foal Auction does a fantastic job. Luk and Gerald are walking encyclopedias when it comes to damlines. I truly believe this auction will only continue to grow.”
€44,000 to Argentina
Unique de Nyze Z (United Touch S x Diamant de Semilly) was sold for €44,000 to an Argentinian buyer. A Polish client placed a winning bid of €38,000 for Charlie Chaplin van WW Z (Chacco Blue x Kashmir van Schuttershof). No fewer than five foals sold for €30,000 each, with regular Flanders breeders shaking hands at the event. Patrick De Roeck and his son purchased Elseflash DW Z (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x For Pleasure), a granddaughter of Walnut de Muze, from Nico De Wilde and family.
Upcoming Auctions
Flanders Foal Auction is moving full steam ahead. On Friday, August 8, the Flanders Embryo Auction will be held in Dublin, followed by a new foal auction the next day at Sentower Park. Visit www.flandersfoalauction.be for more information. The collections will be published online as soon as possible.