A September to remember: Dutch Sport Horse Sales & Limburg Foal Auction 2026

20 October 2026

September proved to be a remarkable month for the Dutch sport-horse market, with two of the Netherlands’ most anticipated auctions once again demonstrating the exceptional quality of horses being produced in the region.

The Dutch Sport Horse Sales and the Limburg Foal Auction were both held at Peelbergen Equestrian Centre in Kronenberg. Across the two events, international buyers came together to invest in horses representing some of the very best modern showjumping bloodlines, from promising foals at the beginning of their careers to established young horses already demonstrating their potential in the international arena. Beyond the sales themselves, both events have developed a unique atmosphere, with visitors often arriving to see a particular horse or foal before staying to enjoy the wider auction experience and discover more of the talent on offer.

A Record-Breaking Edition of Dutch Sport Horse Sales

The 22nd edition of the Dutch Sport Horse Sales took place on 22 September, presenting a carefully selected collection of 15 talented sport horses aged between five and eight-years-old.

The collection showcased the depth of modern European showjumping breeding, with offspring by some of the most sought-after stallions in the sport, including Chacoon Blue, Aganix du Seigneur, Comme il Faut, Emerald van ’t Ruytershof and Toulon.

It was Tabea W Z, an eight-year-old mare, by Toulon out of Col’s Spirit W (Colman), who set the benchmark, selling for an extraordinary €1.28 million to an American buyer, setting a new record for the Dutch Sport Horse Sales. Bred in Germany by Helmut Witt, Tabea W Z represents a powerful combination of proven jumping genetics and tangible physical qualities required for the international stage.

Tabea W Z made her first international appearance at Peelbergen in September, producing two clear rounds in a CSI2* competition, offering an exciting glimpse of what could lie ahead for her new owners.

Her €1.28 million price tag was not an isolated moment of strong demand. The auction produced a record average price of €305,000, with several horses achieving exceptional prices. Pink Floyd HX SF, a six-year-old gelding by Cape Coral RBF Z, was sold for €520,000 and, like Tabea, will continue his career in the United States. Pinehurst by Emerald van ’t Ruytershof sold for €360,000, while Eagly Eye Cherry vd Wiel Z, also by Emerald, reached €290,000. A further seven horses changed hands for at least €200,000.

The results underline the international appeal of the Dutch Sport Horse Sales and the confidence buyers continue to place in horses selected and produced for the demands of modern sport.

For Stal Hendrix, there was particular significance in the success of this year’s collection. As Michel Hendrix noted following the auction, the decision to include several exceptional eight-year-olds reflected the market’s demand for horses that are ready to compete, while the success of horses from the Hendrix breeding programme added another source of pride.

A Celebration of the Next Generation

There was little time to pause after the Dutch Sport Horse Sales, as the Limburg Foal Auction followed immediately on 23 September, with the online editions continuing on 24 and 25 September.

The 26th edition brought together an exceptional group of young prospects, with 81 foals in the live auction and a further 55 sold through the two online sessions, giving buyers access to a total of 136 future sport horses.

The top lot of the live auction was Winning Touch by Nature, a colt by the highly influential United Touch S and out of a Cornet Obolensky mare. He attracted €26,000 on the auction floor from a buyer in the United States.

The result was part of a particularly strong evening. More than half of the foals sold for at least €10,000, while four exceeded €20,000. Alongside Winning Touch by Nature, Diastar VM Z by Diaron reached €22,000 and Weludine VHR by Cape Coral RBF Z sold for €21,000. E Paris Z, a daughter of Emerald van ’t Ruytershof, also achieved €21,000.

Another record-breaking day saw the auction achieve its highest average price ever, at approximately €11,282 per foal, demonstrating that the strength of the market extended well beyond a handful of headline lots.

Stal Hendrix’s A Moonlight Speciale Z Makes his Mark

There was an additional reason for Stal Hendrix to celebrate during this year’s Limburg Foal Auction.

Eight foals in the collection were sired by Stal Hendrix stallion A Moonlight Speciale Z, an eight-year-old stallion by Aganix du Seigneur Z out of a Chacco-Blue mare.

Just days after the Limburg Foal Auction, the stallion and Giampiero Garofalo claimed victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix at Sentower Park.

The timing was significant: while eight of his young offspring were being presented to prospective buyers at the Limburg Foal Auction, their sire was simultaneously demonstrating the athletic ability and competitive qualities that breeders hope to pass on to the next generation.

The Bloodlines of Tomorrow

Beyond the headline results, what stood out across both auctions was the remarkable concentration of elite jumping bloodlines.

The collections featured offspring by Cornet Obolensky, Ermitage Kalone, Highway TN, Chacco-Blue, Dominator 2000 Z, Emerald van ’t Ruytershof, United Touch S and A Moonlight Speciale Z, alongside many other influential sires.

These are bloodlines already deeply embedded within international showjumping, and their presence in such numbers illustrates the direction in which the modern sport-horse market is moving: towards athleticism, scope, careful technique, rideability and, increasingly, horses with the mentality and physical ability to progress through the international ranks.

For Stal Hendrix, the maternal bloodlines are equally important in the selection process, with particular emphasis placed on proven mare families and their ability to consistently produce horses with the qualities required for top-level sport.

For buyers, auctions such as these offer more than the opportunity to purchase a horse. They provide access to generations of selective breeding, carefully considered mare lines and, in the case of the Dutch Sport Horse Sales, horses that have already received extensive training and preparation.

For breeders, meanwhile, the results provide valuable feedback on the market and confirmation that quality breeding programmes can continue to command international attention.

Looking Towards the Future

From a €1.28 million record-breaker to a €26,000 foal representing the next generation, September’s auctions offered a fascinating snapshot of the sport-horse industry at both ends of the spectrum.

With buyers from across the globe investing in Dutch-bred and Dutch-produced talent, and with record prices being achieved at both ends of the market, the message from Peelbergen in September was clear: the appetite for exceptional sport horses remains firmly international, and the future of Dutch showjumping breeding continues to look very bright.