In conversation with Fred van Straaten Sr.

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In conversation with Fred van Straaten Sr.

What conditions must a (jumper) foal meet in order to be selected for Foal Auction Prinsjesdag?
“The foals must be correctly built. We want the people who buy the foals to be satisfied after many years. Sport and health are related to each other. If a foal does not have a good leg position, it will sooner suffer from wear and tear. But by correct we also mean a well-built, functional body. Top horses have a body that is suitable for top sport. A foal with a sunken back or a hock joint that is too straight is therefore not selected either.”

The power of performance?
“We look at the mother. What has he done in sports? We have a rule that the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother must have performed themselves in the sport or have offspring that perform remarkably in the sport. That is an indication of a horse's disposition and character. And it also says something about health. A large part of presenting is related to character. A top athlete is able to deliver great performances, even if they feel a pain. We are looking for horses that go for it, fight for you. We select with that in mind. The moment a foal enters the orbit and it is enterprising, it moves electrically and when you see that it does not stick to the mother but goes its own way, then you know; we must have it.”

Prinsjesdag has been auctioning the creme-de-la-creme among the foals for years, where can you find it?
“As a selection committee, we start at a very early stage. You speak to many breeders before the foals are born. You know what kind of mares they have and you keep an eye on what kind of stallions they cover. You do not select according to your own preference. During the selection, we really sit in the buyer's seat. You learn that through years of experience. I always go out with Willem van Hoof. As an auction team, we are very well attuned to each other. By properly evaluating, we improve the selection every year. We do not only select from the larger breeders, we are always looking for the most interesting material and also try to capture interesting foals from breeders with one or two foals. Our entrants are our distinctive character. We have built up a very strong group of loyal entrants. It is important that you make people feel good.”

What do you expect from this year?
“I think we selected very high-quality genetically this year. The pedigree structure just gets better every year, partly because we adjust our criteria every year and try to be even more critical of the material on offer. We really go for quality over quantity. We also worked really hard to get some interesting fillies into the auction and I think we succeeded. This year we have selected a number of For Pleasure offspring. They are doing very well in the sport now. Many people try to breed another foal from him, but the sperm is expensive and they run out at some point. At our auction people can now choose from four For Pleasure foals, all from top dam lines. Sometimes while selecting it feels like you are in a really big candy store. You just can't choose!”

“Brittsion already had great use of the foreleg as a foal!”

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Breeder: Dirk van der Oord

1. What was Brittsion like as a foal?
“Brittsion was already very beautiful as a foal, could move well and had a good character. She became champion at the inspection in Hoofddorp and people really stopped to watch. Her use of the foreleg in particular was already very special. The foals inherit this from their mother, because I also see it in her brothers and sisters.”

2. How is her mother?
“Her dam Unassion (Krack C x Jazz) was very successful at the inspections. She became reserve champion of the Netherlands as a foal and third as a three-year-old. Because she has both Krack and Jazz blood, we went to Schockemöhle in Germany to look for a stallion and chose Sir Donnerhall. That combination worked well with Brittsion and I used this stallion three more times. She is now 16 years old, elite, preferent, performance and is pregnant from her 14e foal. This year we are going to the national inspection with a Totilas foal of hers. Besides Brittsion there are two more children of her in the small tour, namely Ambission (by Sunny Boy) and Catosion (by Sir Donnerhall). We already breed with the sixth generation of horses from this line and all names end with sion. Brittsion is named after my wife Britt, her sister Catosion after my daughter Cato and her brother Kassion after my son Kas.”

3. How did you experience the auction at the time?
"It was exciting. Friends of ours also wanted to buy her, but at one point they were bid above their maximum price. Dirk Kat, the buyer, also knew Brittsion's mother well.”

4. Do you still follow Brittsion?
“Yes, I follow everything on the internet and sometimes I go to see Derk Schekkerman or at competitions. I watched all the international Junior competitions via the live stream.”

5. Why did you choose the Prinsjesdag auction?
“As a member of the breeding and study club Noord-Holland, I was involved in the establishment of the Prinsjesdag auction at the time, so I have a connection with this auction. Two years ago, Brittsion's full brother, Kassion, was also auctioned here. I also had a number of foals auctioned in Borculo and Dronten. I have good experiences with the Prinsjesdag auction. If breeders have a good foal, I definitely recommend the Prinsjesdag auction, although of course everyone has to decide that for themselves.”

read HERE the interview with buyer Dirk Kat from Primeval.

read HERE the interview with Amazon Zoë Kuintjes.

“In the show ring she does her best!”

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Amazon: Zoë Kuintjes

1. What makes Brittsion so special to you?
“Brittsion is a very nice horse to ride. In the show ring she even goes the extra mile for me and works just that little bit harder. I don't have to work that hard myself. She is also very nice at home in training. †

2. How long have you been a combination with Brittsion?
“I've been driving Brittsion for Dik Kat from Primeval for four months now. Before this she was ridden in the light tour by my trainer, Derk Schekkerman. I'm in his stable and he asked me if I wanted to ride her in the Juniors. I already rode another, slightly less experienced Junior horse, but with Brittsion I get the chance to ride at the top.”

3. How does Brittsion get along?
Brittje, as I call her, is very calm and affectionate in the stable. She is a real cuddly horse and loves it when you brush her for hours or take her for a walk. We always have a set ritual when I drive. First I brush her extensively, then I walk her by the hand for a while and then I get on.”

4. What's the best thing you've had with Brittsion so far?
“I thought the best thing so far was that we were allowed to be part of the Dutch Juniors team at the CDIO in Hagen, Germany and that we won silver here! I am also proud that the national coach has included us in the A-squad so quickly. It went super fast. I had only ridden a country test four times and by then I had already achieved the necessary three required scores.”

5. What do you hope to achieve with Brittsion?
“I hope that we can achieve many more international successes and that we can go to the European Championships next year. This year I was also in the race for the European Championship, but Brittsion suffered a minor injury for the Dutch Championship, which means she has to take it easy. We are very careful with her.”

read HERE the interview with breeder Dirk van der Oord.

read HERE the interview with buyer Dirk Kat from Primeval.

“Bidding at an auction is always exciting, especially on Prinsjesdag, where the best merchants are usually represented and you have to stay sharp.”

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Buyer and owner: Dirk Kat

1. Why did Brittsion appeal to you at the auction at the time?
“Dirk Reijne advised me Brittsion. He said she was one of the best foals in the auction. I shared his opinion and appreciated Dirk's advice. The breeder, Dirk van der Oort, had also set the necessary expectations in me with this mare line.”

2. How did Brittsion's rearing and training go?
“She has been reared at our house. Wijnanda van Brenk, my brother's rider, hit and trained her super. She has laid the foundation for her current achievements. At about the age of five she went to Derk Schekkerman. He drove her to the light tour.”

3. Did Brittsion live up to your expectations?
“Brittsion has become a beautifully elegant horse. She performs great in sports. She was recently admitted to the A-squad in the Juniors with Zoë Kuintjes. Together they are a fantastic combination that I am very proud of. Brittsion is in my top five foals I've ever bought. Eggs were collected from her via ICSI and she has now given me three foals by Rubinstein. Two foals were born this year and one last year. All three are top foals who look very good. †

4. Do you have a special relationship with Brittsion?
“Horses that perform with character really appeal to me. Brittsion is a good example of this, just like PrimeVal Wings back then! Every now and then I go and check on her at the stable. Even if there is a match nearby, I try to come and watch. I followed the international competitions that Zoë has ridden via the livestream.”

5. Was it exciting bidding at the auction at the time?
“Bidding at an auction is always exciting, especially on Prinsjesdag, where the best merchants are usually represented and you have to stay sharp. I wanted Brittsion, so I kept bidding until I got her.”

6. Why do you advise people to buy a foal at the Foal Auction Prinsjesdag?
“ The Foal Auction Prinsjesdag was an initiative of a number of entrepreneurs from North Holland and I was one of them. I bought about twenty foals at the Prinsjesdag auction, and I also bought a number of foals in Borculo. You take a risk buying a foal. You see the moves, know the bloodlines, but the character has to be good too. I have had foals that have grown into toppers, but have also sold a number of them again. All in all I am happy with the quality with the quality and the performance. If you choose to buy a foal, the Prinsjesdag auction is the best place to do so!”

read HERE the interview with breeder Dirk van der Oord.

read HERE the interview with Amazon Zoë Kuintjes.

In conversation with Bert Poppelaars

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In conversation with Bert Poppelaars, who has been a member of the selection committee of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag since 2008.

Bert, how do you select the foals for Prinsjesdag?

“When selecting our foals, we pay attention to correctness, quality, elongation and flexibility. Furthermore, the foal must have sport in terms of pedigree and must be commercially attractive. We reach a large part of the entrants through our own network. But what is also striking about our auction is that we have such a large number of loyal selling breeders. We also managed to reach many breeders through our stand during the KWPN Stallion Inspection in Den Bosch.”

What is the distinctive character of this auction?

“We make absolutely no concessions in terms of quality. Both the mare and the foal must have super quality. It is sometimes difficult to tell breeders that we cannot select their foal this year, but honesty is the best policy. As a result, every time I have selected a foal, I leave the yard with a good feeling. It strikes me more and more that breeders are already doing the pre-selection themselves. We've been coming to see some people for years. They know what kind of mares we are looking for and that we pay very close attention to leg positions, for example.”

What do you expect from this year?

“I expect even more satisfied buyers, because they are making an investment with us this year. An auction often has about three or four outliers in the selection. This year we have a very broad, high-quality top layer!”

Photo by horses

Selection committee Prinsjesdag and jury Z-festival on the same page

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Selection committee Prinsjesdag and jury Z-festival on the same page

On the Z Festival the international sport stallions Aganix du Seigneur Z, Cornet Obolensky and Dominator Z have once again presented themselves strongly as sires. They each produced one or more foal champions and are also well represented in the collection of Foal Auction Prinsjesdag. For example, we have four Cornet Obolensky foals, two Aganix du Seigneur Z foals and one by Dominator Z under the hammer.

Four foals by Dutch Champion Zonik

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Four foals by Dutch Champion Zonik

Edward Gal became Dutch Dressage Championship this weekend with his spectacular stallion Glock's Zonik. In the final Freestyle he was lord and master with this talented black stallion.

Foal Auction Prinsjesdag managed to select no fewer than four Zonik offspring. The four foals have dams from Jazz, Sandreo, Goodtimes and Gribaldi. Soon you will find photos, videos and more information about the selected foals on our site.

Prinsjesdag foal Marley SMH reserve champion

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Prinsjesdag foal Marley SMH reserve champion


At the Central Inspection of Friesland, Marley SMH (Harley VDL x Quidam de Revel) van Minne Hovenga finished in second place, within a strong group of jumping foals. This for Foal Auction Prinsjesdag selected eyecatcher made a big impression with his light-footed canter and can prove himself again at the National Foal Inspection.

Photo: J. v. Tartwijk

“Bonne Chance already had a beautiful exterior as a foal and changed easily. She was already a bloody and busy animal with a lot of elastic.”

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Breeder: Harry van Loon

1. What was Bonne Chance like as a foal?
“As a foal, Bonne Chance was a bloody and busy animal with a lot of elasticity. She already had a beautiful exterior and changed easily. You could already see that it was a topper.”

2. How is her mother Olive?
“Her dam Olijfje (Cambridge x Concorde) was also a shaky horse. Baloubet suited the mare incredibly well. From Olijfje I bred another Baloubet mare and a gelding from Querlybet, a son of Baloubet. De Querlybet jumped 1.50m under McLain Ward. All Baloubets are chestnut with white legs and all three are busy and sensitive. I also bred a Quidam de Revel, which I sold to Belgium and a Triomph de Muze, I was less pleased with the latter. This stallion fitted the mare less well. If Olive had a foal, she was difficult to get pregnant. I also sold Bonne Chance's full sister, but I've lost track of it.”

3. Why did you decide to give up Bonne Chance for the Foal Auction Prinsjesdag? Do you recommend other breeders to sell their foals through the Prinsjesdag Auction?
“I entered Bonne Chance myself for the auction and she was immediately accepted. If you, as a breeder, have a foal that is good enough, I can certainly advise you to sell through the Prinsjesdag auction. I have sold several foals through auctions. At the Prinsjesdag auction in 2014 I sold the black pied colt of Fernando Torres, a son of Florencio. I have also sold various foals through the auctions in Brabant and Limburg.”

4. did you experience the auction at the time?
“It was special to experience. The Prinsjesdag auction is a very professional auction and Bonne Chance showed herself well in the ring. I was actually a bit disappointed with the results. She raised €14,500; I had hoped she would fetch a few thousand more.”

5. Follow Bonne Chance closely?
“Yes, I follow her results. It's amazing how well she is doing at international level with Janika Sprunger. This rider really clicks with this sensitive mare. It's fun to follow this. I hope to get Bonne Chance back as a broodmare someday!”

read HERE the interview with buyer Chris van Dam.

read HERE the interview with amazon Janika Sprunger.

“It is always a gamble with foals, but if you then have a good one, then you also have something very special that you can no longer get as a four-year-old!”

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Buyer: Chris van Dam

1. Why did Bonne Chance appeal to you at the auction at the time?
“It was a very appealing and strong foal to see. A real Baloubet with many white markings and a strong canter.”

2. What was Bonne Chance like as a young horse?
“She was a very special, sensitive mare. I had her together with Sijbrand and Titia Iwema. She was reared at their Flevofarm trotters stud farm. As a foal, Bonne Chance already had an incredible amount of character. She could suddenly fly at you in the meadow. We have bred another colt from her by the stallion Vaillant. This jumped very well and looked a lot like his mother. Unfortunately, he died in the meadow.”

3. How was Bonne Chance's education?
“Bonne Chance was saddle-broken and then Soraya Niessen entered her as a young horse at competitions. She was not the easiest to deal with and you had to be alert. I remember that we had a clinic at our stable in the run-up to Outdoor Gelderland. Marc Houtzager unsuspectingly took off her blanket. She reacted like a diva and you saw her thinking: Shall I lash out or not? (see picture). Herman Seiger bought her when she was five years old. With him she was released by Steven Veldhuis. As a six-year-old she was sold to her current rider Janika Sprunger.”

4. Did Bonne Chance live up to your expectations?
“She more than lived up to my expectations. You can see the quality in a foal, but you have no idea whether they will live up to it. If you buy ten, you can write off two and with the rest you just have to see how they grow up and whether they make it in the sport. Bonne Chance is a phenomenal performer at the very highest international level.”

5. Was it exciting at the time with bidding?
“I was quite practical in the auction, because I was part of the organization at the time. I had selected three or four foals in advance that I was interested in. Bonne Chance was pretty much at the top of this list.

After the auction, I was still chatting with Cees van den Oetelaar. He told me that I had bought a good foal, but that it was certainly not the best. I thought to myself: I bought the wrong one, because actually I went on bidding longer than I normally do. € 14,500 I thought was a lot of money. Now in retrospect, I was very lucky with such a topper and she was well worth it.”

6. Do you advise people to buy a foal at the Foal Auction Prinsjesdag? Why buy a foal and not a three or four year old?
“I personally really enjoy buying a foal at an auction. I'm having fun watching it grow up and see if you saw its potential right back then. I think you can spread your chances by buying a number of foals. 15 years ago, the Prinsjesdag auction set a strict course to admit only foals from proven stocks.

The pre-selection is very strict and the selection committee really hunts for the very best. If the committee members have to go abroad for this, they will do so. The auction is also very innovative, now with embryos for example. It is always a gamble with foals, but if you then have a good one, then you also have something very special that you can no longer get as a four-year-old!”

read HERE the interview with breeder Harry van Loon.

read HERE the interview with amazon Janika Sprunger.

Auctions 2025

CH Deurne Auction

Date: April 27, 2025
Bidding: Live and Online
Location: CH Deurne
Offer: Foals jumping

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CSI Wooden Auction

Date: August 9, 2025
Bidding: Live and Online
Location: Zilfia's Hoeve, Houten
Offer: Foals Jumping

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Foal Auction Prinsjesdag

Date: September 16, 2025
Bidding: Live and Online
Location: KNHS Center, Ermelo
Offer: Foals Jumping & Dressage

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