High Bid of Dh600,000 Rejected: many valuable Arabian horses fail to find buyers at auction

In the heart of Abu Dhabi, the search for a new beauty horse took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). Hamad Al Hammadi, a 17-year-old bidder, represented his 19-year-old cousin at the auction, with the family known for breeding endurance horses considering a shift towards beauty horses.

The auction, which took place on Friday night, featured 33 horses descended from champions of international competitions. Among those evaluating the lots was Mohammed Al Ali, a breeder who has been competing in Arabian horse beauty pageants since 2014.

The cousins were meticulous in their evaluation, considering factors such as the neck, face, eyes, bone structure, and physique. However, as the final quarter of the auction approached, they had yet to find a horse they wanted to purchase.

The bidding at the horse auction moved slowly compared to the camel and falcon sales earlier in the week. In fact, the auction concluded with more cautious buying than spirited bidding, leaving some of the finest animals unsold.

One of the highest bids of the evening was Dh600,000 for Lot 11, JS Al Sultan, a five-year-old stallion. Despite this high bid, the owner of JS Al Sultan refused to sell the horse at that price.

The event showcased the elegance and pedigree of Arabian horses, with the Abu Dhabi show being considered the strongest worldwide among Arabian horse beauty pageants. Haneen Dajani, a special correspondent in Abu Dhabi with over 15 years of reporting experience, reported on the auction.

The cousins made two unsuccessful bids during the auction, one for Dh7,000 and another for Dh45,000. The prize money for these competitions can range between Dh50,000 and Dh100,000, depending on the level of the championship.

Hamad Al Hammadi stated that they have been entering horses in races and have decided to invest in beauty horses. They are willing to pay up to Dh100,000 for a "very good horse". The search for the perfect beauty horse continues for the family, with the hope that they will find the perfect addition to their stable.

The auction was organized in cooperation with the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, further underscoring the importance of this event in the Arabian horse world. Despite the slow bidding, the search for the perfect beauty horse continues, adding to the anticipation for next year's ADIHEX auction.

High Bid of Dh600,000 Rejected: many valuable Arabian horses fail to find buyers at auction