The AD Auction countdown has started. Tomorrow at 6 p.m. (european time) the auction for the 20 horses in the catalog will open. From September 11 to September 14 on www.theadauction.com Cooley Farm, Wrenwood Stables and Babes Horses will kick off the first edition of The AD Auction with the Celtic Collection. This exclusive online auction brings together show jumping and eventing horses and American hunters from two Irish stables and one Scottish stable of ages 0 to 7 years. They have top-level pedigrees with very important mare lines that have produced several international 160 jumpers. You can read more information about the AD Auction and its innovative virtual format in our coverage here.
North Star Nisty Blue (Nistria x Zirraco Blue). Photo courtesy of The A.D. Auction.
Let’s learn more about the Babes family breeding and sales operation:
The Babes family has been breeding and dealing high quality horses for over thirty years, from world-class horses to ponies. Babes Horses was established with the aim of breeding and selling top level horses that can take their riders to the top of international rankings. To do so, they have set up a breeding program based on the use of the best bloodlines in the world. For The AD Auction, they are presenting seven top horses.
“I have been involved with horses all of my life. I was brought up in a riding school. I started competing at a young age and have always had a passion for show jumping”, explains George Babes, founder and owner of Babes Horses. “My wife Muriel was a very successful show jumper and subsequently we started our business together in 1985. We have as a family produced many top-class horses and ponies, many of whom have went on to be European medalists. The team gold medalist pony Dollar Girl ridden by our son Graham Babes in 2011. The individual gold medal winner Cassandra Van Het Roelhof, ridden by Ireland’s Harry Allen in 2017. 2018’s Young Rider team silver medalist Boucheron with Graham Babes. Eccosse, bred and produced by us to 5* International level. These are just a few on an endless line of championship winning equines that have been produced by my family”.
“Our goal as a professional show jumping and breeding yard is to produce top class horses worthy of carrying riders from all over the world to international success. We have established a breeding program based on using the worlds best bloodlines. Diamant De Semilly, Cornet Obolensky, Chacco Blue, Baloubet Du Rouet etc all feature in our youngstock. We have bred three wonderful four year old stallions from the exceptional mare Golden Du Maurai, who has already given five international show jumpers, three of them competing at 1.60 level. We are extremely excited about these young stallions, by the outstanding Diamant De Semilly. Utilising these bloodlines with careful selection provides us with top quality offspring. All with type, scope, carefulness and bravery, all of which we need in international winning horses. For the Celtic Collection, we are very proud to present seven carefully selected horses with these characteristics, ranging from foals, yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds.”
The youngest of the lot, North Star Nisty Blue is an absolute eyecatcher. She was born in April and is by European Champion Zirocco Blue and Nistria (Zamiro). Nistria has competed up to 1.40 level in international competitions. Nisty Blue has a fabulous character, with amazing movement and top-quality model.
Quatro, a well grown gelding “has the heart of a lion and the grace of a swan”. Just broken, he is showing top class paces, carefulness and scope. Without a doubt, he is destined to be a world class event horse.
Another horse to watch among those presented by Babes Horses is for sure Philo. This stunning yearling colt is by Balou du Rouet and his mother, Ma Fleur JS has competed so far to 1.45 level as a seven-year-old. She was the National 5 year old champion, also winning many international classes, including spring 6 year old Grand Prix in Bonheiden, both summer and winter 6 years old Grand Prix’s in Sentower Park and many more victories all across Europe, culminating in her finishing her 6 year old year in 2nd place on the FEI world ranking list.
Along with providing this exceptional colt in the same year. Ma Fleur is a daughter of Emerald and from a Cassini II dam. She is now competing very successfully in Young Riders classes. Surely Philo will be as successful as his forefathers and make his future owner very proud.
To find out more about the horses presented by Babes Horses in the Celtic Collection of The AD Auction: www.theadauction.com
From September 11 to September 14 on www.theadauction.com the innovative online auction “The Alex Delazer Auction” will launch its first edition. The Celtic Collection is a unique opportunity to enter the stables of Cooley Farm, Wrenwood Stables and Babes Horses, who will present 20 horses in the showjumping, eventing and American hunting disciplines.
