BELGIAN YOUNGSTERS AUCTION: MEXICO SECURES THE AUCTION TOPPER

Sep 29, 2024 · Wendy Scholten

The concept of free jumping combined with an auction is an exciting yet transparent approach taken by the Belgian Youngsters Auction. This led to the sale of 23 out of the 29 horses offered on Saturday evening, September 28. Attentive buyers were able to secure quality horses at attractive prices, with the average price reaching nearly €16,200.

A large crowd attended the auction, and although the temperature dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, the atmosphere at the Hippodrome de Wallonie in Ghlin heated up as the evening progressed. The auction also attracted considerable online interest, resulting in seven horses being sold via the internet.

Among the horses heading to Mexico is Paolo Initials BB (Grandorado TN x Presley Boy), sold for €28,000. This 3-year-old gelding, out of the half-sister of Callas-Sitte Z (1.60m GP with Christina Liebherr), Sea Coast Atlantic (1.60m GP with Gudrun Patteet) and Riviera Sitte (1.50m), made a strong impression with his jumping skills. Given his scope and exceptional technique, high expectations surround this horse.

Joining him on the journey to Mexico is Perle de Christal (Cartaro 2 x Quabri de L'Isle), who also becomes a stablemate for €22,000. This was no surprise, given her quality and exceptional reflexes over jumps. A superior horse from the same family as the approved stallions Ogano Sitte (1.60m GP), Ugano Sitte (1.50m), and Boston Sitte (1.50m).

Palpitant Sitte (Kavango Sitte x Fidelgo du Houssoit) fetched €24,000, making him the second most expensive horse. Another talented jumper with great potential and he comes from the lineage of 1.60m Grand Prix horses Vatson Sitte and Curtis Sitte.

Comme Elle Faut de Carmel Z (Comme il Faut x Balou du Rouet), the full sister of the Zangersheide stallion Comilfo Plus Z, was sold to a new Belgian owner for €22,000.

Luk Van Puymbroeck, who organized the auction alongside Valentijn De Bock and the Boudrenghien family, expressed satisfaction with the number of sales but also noted areas for improvement. “The sixth Belgian Youngsters Auction in the spring will be held at a different location during a showjumping, closer to our target audience. We had some excellent jumpers in this collection, but I think we can offer even more attractive pedigrees. We still have some steps to take. But the fact is, people were able to purchase very good horses at great prices. We hope to hear more success stories from these horses in the future!”