The success of last year’s Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction continues to make its mark, with one of its ponies recently selling for an impressive $96,000 at the 2026 Traverse Auction in the United States.
Now, the auction returns for a second year, brought to you by the team behind Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), and enters an exciting new chapter as it expands beyond its Thistledown roots to showcase a wider collection of quality horses and ponies.
Pumpkin PS, formerly known as Thistledown Kingfisher, is a half-brother to the renowned Thistledown Rain Man and was among the ponies offered at last year’s auction at Stoneleigh Park.
His subsequent sale highlights the international interest in these sought-after bloodlines and the opportunities that can follow for ponies bred with a clear focus on quality.
The 2025 Elite Pony Auction brought together a carefully selected collection of ponies from Thistledown Stud representing more than 30 years of considered breeding. Its catalogue featured ponies carrying influential bloodlines, including those of Thistledown Rain Man (Rain Man PS), who sold for $175,000 at the 2025 Traverse City Open Sales.
Building on the foundations of a successful first year, the event will return to Stoneleigh Park on 28 November 2026 as the Stoneleigh Elite Equine Auction. The auction is expanding beyond its origins, with a focus on sourcing horses and ponies of the quality and calibre associated with Horse of the Year Show.
With approximately 50 animals expected to feature, this year’s auction promises an exciting and diverse collection, offering buyers and breeders the chance to discover their next prospect, explore new breeding opportunities and find horses and ponies with the potential to excel in their chosen discipline. From promising performance prospects to quality show horses and ponies, the collection will offer something to capture the interest of a wide range of equestrian enthusiasts.
The Stoneleigh Elite Equine Auction takes place alongside The Showing Register Amateur of the Year Finals, the Showing World Awards and the Stoneleigh Winter Fair, making it part of a packed weekend at Stoneleigh Park. Alongside the equestrian action, visitors can enjoy Christmas stalls, fun fair rides and a skating rink, with plenty to make a day of it for the whole family.
You don’t have to be looking to buy to enjoy the auction, either. Spectator tickets are just £7, offering an affordable opportunity to experience the excitement of the auction ring and see the horses and ponies on offer up close as well as access to the Stoneleigh Winter Fair and TSR Amateur of the Year Finals.
Whether you’re an experienced buyer, a breeder, a showing enthusiast or simply passionate about horses and ponies, the Stoneleigh Elite Horse and Pony Auction is an event to add to your calendar this November.
ENDS
For more information, please contact: Grandstand Media Ltd or Clee Thompkinson & Francis
Email: press@grandstand.co.uk | brecon@ctf-uk.com
Grandstand Office: 02476 858 205 | Clee Thompkinson & Francis: 01874 622 488
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