Arabian Horses Go Unsold at Stressful Auction

Several Arabian Thoroughbreds Remain Unsold at Abu Dhabi Auction

One of the most spectacular events at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), the Arabian Thoroughbred auction, did not unfold in its usual atmosphere this year. Despite several of the 33 horses paraded into the ring boasting exceptional lineage and racing experience, many specimens remained unsold. The subdued interest and low bid levels led many breeders to withdraw their horses from the sale.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and most of the horses offered for sale came from international beauty contests or award-winning breeding. The exhibition's clear aim was to showcase to the world the elegance, strength, and genetic excellence of Arabian horses. However, buyers appeared more cautious this time.

Unyielding Breeders, Unconvinced Bidders

One of the most notable moments of the Friday evening auction was when a bid of 600,000 dirhams was made for JS Al Sultan, a five-year-old stallion bearing the catalog number 11, yet it was rejected. The horse had won over 450,000 dirhams in various competitions and had a remarkably strong lineage. Nevertheless, the seller valued the stallion for more and refused the bid.

The judges continuously highlighted the rare genetic backgrounds, championship results, and excellent physical traits of the horses. Despite this, the audience was unwilling to delve deeper into their pockets, and many horses returned to the stables without new owners.

The auction proceedings stood in sharp contrast to earlier events of the week, where camel and falcon auctions saw bids rise rapidly, often exceeding the starting price significantly. In contrast, the horse auction unfolded much more calmly and cautiously.

Is Passion Not Enough?

Several well-known horse breeders who frequently both purchase and race their horses attended the event. Many experienced breeders participating in the auction were still undecided about buying, instead taking the role of observers. Some planned to approach the organizers for negotiations after the official auction.

One breeder who has been participating in Arabian horse beauty contests for years, entering his horses in up to seven or eight competitions annually, attended the auction. Prize money can range between 50,000 and 100,000 dirhams depending on the competition's level. In his opinion, the exhibition and auction held in Abu Dhabi are among the world's strongest in terms of quality.

He also revealed that he previously purchased an Arabian mare from an auction for 300,000 dirhams, but now he waits. While he considers the quality of this year's offerings very high, he has not yet made a decision.

Young Generation in the Bidding Rows

The auction attracted not only experienced breeders but also younger enthusiasts. A 17-year-old attended on behalf of his cousin, who wished to purchase a horse in the name of a family farm. The family primarily breeds horses for endurance races but showed interest in showpieces for beauty contests for the first time.

The youngsters made several attempts: one bid was 7,000, and another was 45,000 dirhams – both were outbid. They expressed willingness to pay up to 100,000 dirhams for a truly good horse, but they carefully scrutinize the horse's physical traits during selection: neck, face, eyes, and build.

As the auction drew to a close, it seemed they did not find the right horse and left empty-handed, as did many other interested parties.

Are Expectations Too High?

The horse auction experiences showcase the current market situation well: while interest in Arabian thoroughbreds remains strong, buyers are increasingly cautious, especially in light of economic uncertainties and global inflationary effects. Breeders, on the other hand, are increasingly insistent on higher-than-average market prices for their horses, particularly for specimens that have already proved themselves in competitions.

This duality – cautious buyers and determined sellers – resulted in several valuable horses remaining unsold by the end of the evening. Although passion and expertise were present on both sides, bridging the expectations gap didn't succeed this time.

Thus, even though the event was spectacular, it didn't bring the momentum many had hoped for. The horses returned to their stables – perhaps waiting for the next auction or the hope of a private negotiation.

In conclusion: Interest in Arabian thoroughbred horses in the UAE remains stable, but changes in buyer behavior, price sensitivity, and increasingly strict quality expectations pose serious challenges to breeders. These auctions are not just commercial events but showcases of passion, tradition, and strategic decisions – where the highest bid isn't always what matters, but whether the horse finds genuinely good hands.

(The article's source is based on the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) auction.)