THE fourth edition of the Aloga Auction, hosted this week by esteemed auctioneer Frederick de Backer and master of ceremonies Brendan McArdle, was a showcase of top-tier equestrian talent. The event sold 19 show jumping horses and 12 dressage horses to clients worldwide.

Since its inception in 2021 by brothers Bertram and Harry Allen, and friend Maxi Lill, the auction has evolved and grown and, building on their success, the team welcomed Laurens Meynaerts of Sentower Park in 2022.

In 2024, the Aloga Auction also announced a partnership with Olympic Riders, Sönke Rothenberger and Maurice Tebbel, solidifying its position as a global leader in equestrian auctions.

Sale toppers

Highlights from the show jumping segment included the remarkable sale of Dark Chocolate, a 10-year-old five-star Grand Prix stallion, who was ridden by fellow Irishman Denis Lynch, fetching a record-breaking €2.3m. This marked a historic moment for auctioneer Frederick De Backer as the most expensive horse he has auctioned.

The impressive six-year-old stallion Nikora TSH followed closely, selling for €1.9m. This horse was bred by Nigel Poynton of Tekapo Sport Horses before being purchased by Ballywalter Stables. Kiritan, a nine-year-old approved breeding stallion, also captivated buyers, fetching €1.7m.

On the dressage evening, the auction featured a curated collection of 12 horses ranging from three to six years old, curated under the expertise of Sönke Rothenberger and Maurice Tebbel. The auction started with a charity item for luxury Olympic tickets, raising €11,500 for Ronald McDonald House in Aachen.

Cathrine Dufour, an accomplished Danish Olympic dressage rider, acquired Fuego for her use, while Uberdale, secured by a Chinese client, emerged as the top-priced dressage horse, selling for €300,000. The German-based Ukrainian family of junior rider Olesia Volkovetska purchased the six-year-old mare Valina for €130,000.

International appeal

The event drew buyers from across the globe, including China, the USA, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Armenia, the UK, Denmark, and Ireland, underlining the international appeal and prestige of Aloga Auction.

Speaking to The Irish Field after the auction on the auction’s success, Bertram Allen said:“It was unbelievable success, a lot of work, a lot of risk, but it paid off unbelievable. Dressage was a new element this year, and with show jumping it was our first time to try with older grand prix horses, and we were lucky enough to be in a position to have Dark Chocolate and Kiritan – so we said we’d give it a go.

“It was very busy, 115 tables of six all sold out a day before – there were people that wanted to come that couldn’t.

“Online bidders were stronger than in previous years and came from a lot of different markets – China bought a few, Australia bid for the first time – it shows that the ones we’ve sold now people can see their performance and calibre and buyers get a good feeling from that and trust us more.

“Curating the auction is always a hard decision, and it’s double-sided as we would love to keep some, but at the end of the day everything is for sale.”