Thistledown Stud Pony Auction Showcasing Elite Thistledown Rain Man Bloodlines   

As the Thistledown Stud Pony Auction approaches, interest continues to build around an offering that represents more than 30 years of carefully considered breeding.  

Among the highlights of this year’s catalogue is the remarkable breeding associated with Thistledown Rain Man (Rain Man PS), who sold for $175,000 (approx. £133,350) in July at Traverse City Open Sales 2025 – a testament to the value and reputation of these bloodlines. 

The Thistledown sale features 30 ponies – 10 who are by Rain Man PS’s influential sire Thistledown Arctic Air and a half-brother (Thistledown Rainmaker) out of the same dam -Thistledown Summer Rain – giving buyers a rare opportunity to secure youngsters carrying the same proven genetics that have already made such an impression within the breed. 

As we head into the event, Sandy Anderson, Owner of Thistledown Stud has taken a moment to reflect on how this journey began: 

“We began at Thistledown with just two ponies for our daughters to ride. Disappointed by the training and temperament of the animals available, we decided to breed our own ponies with the character and disposition to suit a young child. They needed a good front, balanced movement, ground-covering stride and sound conformation.” 

That early vision became the foundation of a breeding programme that is now recognised across the UK and beyond. 

Thistledown-bred ponies have achieved 203 HOYS tickets between 2001 and 2025, and the stud recently celebrated as Thistledown Superstar – a mare sold just three years ago – claimed the 2025 Overall Mountain & Moorland title at Horse of the Year Show, an achievement honoured by her place on the front of this year’s catalogue. 

“We believe this catalogue contains ponies of great potential, and we hope you’ll appreciate the depth of quality we are offering. From established performers like Thistledown Madison to youngsters who have never left the farm, each pony reflects a breeding programme built with a clear end goal in mind.” 

The selection prepared for this week’s auction highlights the very best of that programme – conformation, type, temperament, movement and potential – strengthened by the highly sought-after Rain Man PS bloodlines. 

Event Details 

Location: Stoneleigh Park  

Date: Saturday 29th November  

Time: 4.30pm 

Catalogues: £7 (posted) – call Grandstand Media on 02476 858 205 to order.

Available on the day for £5. 

Official Auctioneers: Clee Thompkinson & Francis | 13 Lion Street, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7HY. 

See full listing here: Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction

ENDS

For more information, please contact Horse of the Year Show Press Office, Grandstand Media Ltd. Tel: 02476 858205. Email: press@hoys.co.uk 

Image: Thistledown Rain Man winning yearling colt at Glanusk Stallion Show in 2022.