THE fifth edition of the Aloga Auction returned an incredible top price of €1.2 million for the eight-year-old gelding Kommandant who was purchased by the Irish-based WOW Trading, run by international show jumpers Cian O’Connor, Max Wachman and Tom Wachman.

The Comme Il Faut gelding who is out of a Diarado mare was produced by Maxi Lill, co-founder of the auction alongside Irish internationals Bertram and Harry Allen, who said “since his very first free jump, his talent was undeniable”. Lill competed the gelding to 1.45m level this Spring at Vejer de la Frontera.

The hammer eventually fell in favour of WOW Trading. Speaking on behalf of the company, Max Wachman (pictured) said: “WOW Trading is a partnership between Cian, Tom and I where we try to purchase the best up and coming Grand Prix prospects we can find. Ultimately, they are all for sale.

“I’m actually based out in Belgium now for the summer, training with Jos Lansink which is a brilliant experience, but also gives us one set of eyes over here. The show jumping world is so small now with the internet and live streaming so being able to see horses during the week and at some different shows is hopefully an opportunity to be able to spot a good prospect sooner.

“The Aloga Auction is a premier brand and we were delighted to buy Tuesday night’s top lot - Kommandant. He’s a beautiful quality horse and he looked very good when Cian tried him and he also said he felt like a real Grand Prix horse. One of us will continue the horse’s development over the coming months.”

A total of 23 horses were presented at the sale held at Sentower Park on Tuesday night with over 1,000 in attendance for a spectacular production and the return was a 100% clearance rate.

Other notable jumping sales included the six-year-old stallion Plot Pearl (Plot Blue x Balou), also produced by Lill, who fetched €650,000. The seven-year-old grey gelding Slim Fit (Otard Van ‘T Roosakker x Cornet Obolensky) was sold for €460,000.

Irish-bred

The Irish Sport Horse gelding Kilnamac Cody, a seven-year-old by Diamant de Semilly out of the Cruising mare Kilnamac Cruise, made €320,000. Ridden by Jack Ryan at the Dublin Horse Show last August, he was then bought by Ballywalter Stables and produced earlier this year by Harry Allen.

In the dressage ring, the top price of €750,000 fell to Maddox Mart, a licensed and approved breeding stallion who, at the start of 2025, made his debut at Inter I with Lena Haßmann, delivering a convincing performance with over 76%.

“The market has held up very well, and we’re delighted with the results across the board,” said Bertram Allen, co-founder of Aloga Auction. “It’s great to see the enthusiasm and confidence from buyers, and we’re very proud of the horses we presented.”