Record prices were realised at the flagship Welsh Pony and Cob Society 52nd Annual Fayre Oaks Sale held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells last weekend.
A total of 657 Welsh Mountain Ponies Section A, Welsh Ponies Section B and Welsh Part Breds were offered for sale by Brightwells Auctioneers at what is regarded as the largest sale of its kind in the world, with a gross sale total of £411,530.
The cream of the A's B's and part-breds changed hands at the 'High Flyer' Evening Sale, held on the Saturday evening with the top price of £10,000 achieved by the 10-year-old Champion Section A, Dark Palomino Stallion, Heaton Romeo, beating previous year's record figure by £3000.
Meanwhile a Horse of the Year Show qualifier, owned by Mrs J P Price realised £7000. Her Welsh Mountain pony, Pendock Jade, a Section A Dun Mare, won 1st place and Reserve Champion Mountain and Moorland Lead Rein at the 2005 Royal Welsh Show, and more recently, won a ticket for the HOYS Mountain and Moorland Lead Rein at the North of England Championship Show.
There was a brisk trade for Fillies; Section A Rookery Sound of Music commanding a price of £6000 whilst cream Section B fillies Stoak Tanya and Laithehill Valeta fetched £4,400 and £3,000 respectively.
Fayre Oaks was the prime setting for Mrs E French to sell 18 of her ponies. Forlan Honey Bell, Forlan Bore Mai and Forlan Harebell totalled £5,600 when featured in the High Flyers evening sale; in the general sale Mrs French also received £12,600 for her stock.
Gian Fazey-Koven, Chief Officer and Secretary of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society commented, "We're absolutely delighted that the standard of the Welsh Ponies at the sale. It indicates they are highly prized and confirms there is substantial commercial interest. This has been enhanced significantly this year following the success of Welsh breeds qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show. Given these prices, we are greatly looking forward to the forthcoming Royal Welsh Cob Sale on the 14-16th of October at Builth Wells."
