The fifth edition of the Flanders Embryo Auction, held in the stunning InterContinental Hotel at the corner of the RDS Dublin Horse Show, is beginning to outgrow its setting. Hundreds of equestrian fans stood and sat packed together, discussing pedigrees, enjoying drinks and following the auction to the very last second. It was entertainment at its finest, bids were made, deals were negotiated, pauses were taken, laughter and challenges filled the room, there was a buzz of chatter and the rules were even bent here and there. Louis De Cleene had his hands full keeping things under control, part of the charm of “Dublin.”
Artemis Farms
The Irish know what they want and embrace the concept of the Flanders Embryo Auction. The buyer earns the title of breeder and the pedigrees of these unborn foals are of absolute top quality. However, American Kristy Clark of Artemis Farms in Wellington also knew exactly what she wanted for her budding breeding program. She sent her sponsored rider Rodrigo Pessoa to secure three embryos, but no one expected she would have to pay €260,000 to get them.
Of the 25 embryos sold (due in 2026), 24 fetched an average of €30,300, another record for “Flanders.” The first to reach €88,000 was the United Touch S out of McLain Ward’s Azur HH (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve), the most successful mare ever with €4.3 million in prize money. Sold for €84,000 was the Ermitage Kalone out of the 1.65m Grand Prix mare Like A Diamond Van Het Schaeck (Diamant de Semilly), and the evening’s finale – again €88,000 – was for the full brother or sister of Christian Kukuk’s Olympic champion Checker 47 (Comme il Faut x Come On).
Irishman James Doyle was just as determined to secure the final lot and took on the challenge, but after a long battle, he conceded and shook Pessoa’s hand to loud applause. Doyle, a valued customer since the first Dublin edition, purchased two other embryos that evening, including the Mylord Carthago out of Qerly Chin’s daughter Toxine de Mars (Dollar de la Pierre) for €33,000.
Rodrigo Pessoa was relieved that the mission had been accomplished. “Artemis Farms is an amazing sponsor for me and Kristy Clark is a fantastic person. She’s very passionate and wants to focus a bit more on breeding. Then you’d better start strong, buy something here and hope for a filly. Fillies with these bloodlines rarely come onto the market,” Pessoa noted. “It’s just a pity I probably won’t get to ride them myself,” he laughed, referring to his age.
Three embryos were sold online, the other 21 in the room, with sixteen going to Irish buyers. Top rider Darragh Kenny bought two: the Emerald x Heartbreaker (¾ sibling of the 1.60m GP mare Kalinka van ’t Zorgvliet) for €40,000 and the Ermitage Kalone out of the full sister of his former top horse Romeo 88 (1.65m GP) for €30,000.
Daniel Coyle will be adding the ¾ sibling of his top horse Legacy (1.65m GP) to his stable. Sponsor Ariel Grange secured this Chippendale Z x Coriano Z for €17,000. Bertram Allen, together with Aloga Auction, purchased the Pacino x Cornet Obolensky, bred out of the 1.60m Grand Prix mare Areeb O.L. Greg Broderick also secured two future stars.
The “Flanders weekend” is far from over, as tonight, Saturday, August 9, foals will be auctioned at Sentower Park. Fireworks can be expected again, starting with the sale of the 1.65m Grand Prix mare Irenice Horta, followed by her filly foal.