Münster: 70 foals with strong potential were offered for sale at the major foal auction of the Westphalian Studbook this evening. 80 percent of them found new owners at an average price of 8,447 euros. Particularly popular were lot numbers 121, Giga Clooney, and 149, Ermitage Enya, both of which were knocked down for 17,000 euros.
One of Germany’s largest foal auctions takes place each year during the Westphalia Week at the Westphalian Studbook in Münster-Handorf. The first part of this year’s auction featured 70 show jumping oriented foals. By combining proven sire lines with established damlines, the collection attracted considerable interest from an international clientele.
Two foals proved to be the most sought-after of the evening, one colt and one filly was sold for the top price of 17,000 euros.
Right at the beginning of the auction, head number 121 captured the attention of the audience. Named Giga Clooney, the grey colt already hints at his exceptional pedigree. He is a son of the Warendorf State Stud stallion Gigabyte. The premium stallion from the Westphalian Main Licensing is currently celebrating success in medium-level show jumping competitions appropriate for his age. The colt’s granddam is none other than Fräulein vom Moor. The Ferragamo daughter, who, like her grandson, is based at the stable of Bernd Richter in Ladbergen, is the direct dam of the European Champion Clooney. Long-standing clients of the Westphalian Studbook secured this young prospect with the winning bid.
Sharing the top price of the evening was Ermitage Enya, a daughter of Ermitage Kalone out of a mare by Emerald van het Ruytershof (breeder and exhibitor: Sarah Erkelenz, Habichtswald). She descends from the damline of numerous internationally successful sport horses. International 1.60 m show jumping stallions such as C-Trenton Z and Contact van de Heffinck are also representatives of this renowned Holsteiner family 18A2. Buyers from China placed the successful bid and will welcome the chestnut filly to their stable.
Catalogue number 131 represented a truly exceptional offering. An embryo by United Touch, currently one of the world's leading show jumping stallions under the saddle of Richard Vogel, was offered for sale. The embryo, already transferred to a recipient mare, traces directly in the fourth generation to Sapphire, the outstanding Darco daughter who won Olympic Team Gold with McLain Ward at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. A long-standing client secured the embryo for 9,500 euros and can look forward to welcoming the foal in 2027.
The auction collection was completed by two pony foals, both of which found new owners. Head number 144, Django BR by Del Piero out of a mare by Captain Collin, attracted particular interest. The motto here was young breeders producing young horses for young riders. Ben Ridder was the youngest exhibitor of the auction with his pony colt. For 6,000 euros, the typey grey youngster was sold to a young rider from Westphalia.
"We are very pleased with the outcome of the auction," concluded Thomas Münch, Head of Auctions and Sales. Of the 70 foals offered, 57 were successfully sold. The auction generated a total turnover of 481,500 euros for the Westphalian Studbook.
The auction action continues tomorrow, Saturday, with the sale of almost 120 dressage foals, beginning at 3.00 pm.
