Stoneleigh Park played host to a landmark weekend as the inaugural Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction made a spectacular debut alongside the TSR Amateur of the Year Finals.
More than 350 spectators attended the Thistledown Stud Elite Pony Auction in person, while a further 1,200 tuned in online to watch 30 elite ponies go under the hammer.
The auction, expertly conducted by Shae Price of Clee Tompkinson & Francis Auctioneers, was hailed as “highly professional,” giving each pony the time and presence it deserved in the ring. With homemade mulled wine adding to the festive spirit, bidding was enthusiastic from the very first lot.
The sale proved a resounding success, with 11 ponies achieving £5,000 or more. Several headline-making records were also set on the night. Lot 8, Thistledown Atlanta, set a new record price for a Section B foal sold in any UK sale, while Lot 16, Thistledown Whistle Pop, achieved the highest price ever paid for a Section B female. In addition, Lot 10, Thistledown Blue Grass, reached £10,500, making him the highest-priced Section A gelding sold in the UK within the past eight years.
The top eight lots of the evening were:
- Lot 10 – Thistledown Blue Grass: £10,500
- Lot 25 – Thistledown Talisk: £9,500
- Lot 16 – Thistledown Whistle Pop: £9,000
- Lot 22 – Thistledown Sheer Rock: £7,500
- Lot 26 – Thistledown King of Thieves: £7,400
- Lot 17 – Thistledown Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy: £7,000
- Lot 23 – Thistledown Kingfisher: £6,500
- Lot 1 – Thistledown Jenson: £6,500
Thistledown Stud extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, watched online, and supported the auction. Congratulations to all purchasers – we look forward to following your future success. Looking forward to what’s next.
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 credit: 1st Class Images