Great Britain took the highest bids at the 59th Autumn Elite Auction of Oldenburg Sport horses and foals in Vechta, Germany. British buyers bought the most expensive young horse, and three of the most expensive foals.
The top young horse was the mare Australia. Bred by Fritz Lemmersmöhle from Cloppenburg, Australia is by Argentinus x Fahnenträger II x Matador, and was a brilliantring mare at the 2003 Radstede Breed Show. Sarah and Tony Pidgley (owners of highlight Sympatico) purchased the mare for 100,000 €, a quite "low" top knock down price for a Vechta Elite Auction.
Second most expensive horse was the elegant See You. This 3-year old dark bay mare was Reserve Champion in the Brilliantring at Radstede this year and finished fourth at the 2003 Bundeschampionate under Heiko Klausing. See You was sold for 90,000 € and will stay in Germany. She is by Sandro Hit x Calypso II x Wienerwald.
Sandro Hit offspring was highly liked at the 59th Elite Auction. The third and fourth most expensive foals were Top Model (Sandro Hit x Rubinstein x Luciano) and Sir Leenart (Sandro Hit x Landadel x Kronprinz xx) and were both sold to Great Britain for 27,000 € and 20,000 €. Top Model is pictured below.
The highest bid for a foal was 30,000 €. First Final, sired by the 2003 World Young Horse Champion Furst Heinrich and out of an Argentinus x Barsoi xx dam, claimed this top price and will move to Sarah and Tony Pidgley's Kilbees farm in Great Britain as will Australia.
The highest price for a pony was paid a German enthusiast, who liked Connery, a Constantin x Grannox x Inschallah AA bred show jumping pony. Connery will stay in Germany for 9,500 €.
The average price for a young horse was 23,827 € and for a foal 10,705 € These results are quite low compared to other Vechta auctions, but this result can be accounted for the strong position of the Euro to the American Dollar.
Photos © Tammo Ernst - Kiki Beelitz