Flanders knocks down embryos out of Grand Prix mares for 64,000 euro

Not one, but two embryos were sold last Friday-night in Dublin for the remarkable sum of 64,000 euro. What do they have in common? They both descend from Chacco Blue and are out of Grand Prix mares that belong to the best in the world. The Flanders Embryo Auction broke all records and closed with an average price of as much as 26,333 euro. The embryos sold will be born in 2023. 

It was the second time that the team from Flanders Foal Auction descended on the luxury InterContinental Hotel, around the corner from the Dublin Horse Show. Because of Covid-19 the Dublin Horse Show was cancelled two years in a row, but this year it was allowed again and the historic event attracted a massive public right from day one. The Irish were treated to a home victory in the FEI Nations Cup and the already great atmosphere changed into pure euphoria. True, that made that the auction started later, but the room filled up, spirits were soaring and the Irish needled each other to make more bids.

‘Special chance’
Even so, the two most expensive embryos did not go to Ireland, in spite of the Irish fighting until the last second. On the spot, Geir Gulliksen bought the Chacco Blue out of the top-class mare Gancia de Muze (Malito de Reve), who herself earned more than two million euro in showjumping under Niels Bruynseels. “You can not miss out on a special chance like this”, Geir Gulliksen says. It was remarkable that the Norwegian Grand Prix rider and horse trader was there. Less than a month ago he broke his hip in a fall from a horse and it was clear that he was still hurting. Krystle Wienen from Belgium, co-owner of Gancia de Muze, is not only happy with the sales price, but even more so with the foal to be born in a top-class stables.

The other 64,000 euro was bid for the Chacco Blue out of the Olympic showjumping mare Sancha LS (Chin Chin), who was very successful under Daniel Bluman. Grandam Sonora La Silla even won World Cup qualifiers under Jan Tops and is a sister to Poor Boy (1.60m with Beat Mändli) and Padua 40 (1.60m with Ralf Scheider) and the aunt of the Zangersheide stallion Zandor Z (1.60m under Jos Lansink). In short, expectations are very high, which triggered a Danish client to place the winning bid online.

13 sold on the spot
Of the 23 embryo’s 21 were sold via the auction and, immediately after, the other two also got new owners. That made a total of thirteen sold on the spot, three by telephone and seven online. To Ireland, for 44,000 euro, will go the full sister or brother of Halifax van het Kluizebos (Heartbreaker x Fetiche du Pas), same as the Chacco Blue x Vigo d’Arsouilles for 37,000 euro. The latter is out of Vibelle Z, full sister to Golden Hawk (1.60m GP) and half-sister to five other 1.60m GP horses, including London, winner of two-times Olympic Silver with Gerco Schröder.

All the prices can be found on: www.flandersfoalauction.be

This year Flanders Foal Auction has another two auctions on the agenda: with foals on 17 September at Sentower Park in Opglabbeek (Belgium) and a new embryo auction on 12 November in magnificent Toscane, Italy. 

Flanders knocks down embryos out of Grand Prix mares for 64,000 euro

Irish buyers.Photo Wendy Scholten

Auctioneer Louis De Cleene. Photo Wendy Scholten