Post-report on the 60th Tyrolean Haflinger Filly Auction

Ebbs. Under radiant imperial weather, the 60th Tyrolean Haflinger Filly Auction took place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Fohlenhof Ebbs – and the anniversary auction delivered on its promises. Around 2,500 visitors, including numerous guests from all over Europe, followed the auction expertly guided by auctioneer Michael Walser in the Fohlenhof Arena. The balance from the Tyrolean Haflinger Horse Breeding Association: As in previous years, all the foals from all seven bloodlines were sold at the 60th auction – for an average price of 2,880 euros net and to buyers from eight nations.

Traditionally, the Federal Music Band Ebbs opened the anniversary auction, creating a festive atmosphere for a special day in the 60-year history of the filly auction. Chairman ÖR Lukas Scheiber and stud manager Robert Mair welcomed the numerous guests and opened the auction with a look back at the 60-year history of the auction. Greetings were conveyed by member of parliament and Vice Mayor Sebastian Kolland, the president of the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture ÖR Josef Hechenberger, and Ebbser Mayor ÖR Josef Ritzer.

The conditions this year could hardly have been more challenging: Rising feed and housing costs, a tense roughage situation after a weaker harvest in many places, and an overall subdued purchasing mood currently characterize the entire European horse market. Even renowned foal auctions in neighboring countries had to accept declines in revenue and price levels in 2026 or could not market all the foals. The results from Ebbs are therefore even more significant: a sales rate of 100 percent, a broad international customer base, and a solid price level in all three sales categories. With an average price of 2,880 euros, it is also above the results of 2024 (2,725 euros).

That every foal in Ebbs finds a buyer year after year is no coincidence; it is the result of consistent international year-round marketing and quality assurance: Behind each Tyrolean foal lies a conscious pathway of rearing, selection, genetic assurance, and a socialized upbringing with grazing that underlines the proverbial robustness and health of the Tyrolean Haflingers, down to the "Foal ABC" for gentle acclimatization to humans. Additionally, every foal is veterinarian-checked on auction day – foals that were not completely healthy and in top condition were consistently not auctioned and sent back home. The Haflinger Breeding Association Tyrol stands for quality – buyers from all over the world can rely on that.

The filly auction thus once again confirms its role as the most important sales channel for Tyrolean Haflinger breeders. Especially in economically strained times, buyers consciously rely on verified quality, secured lineage, and the transparency of a public auction – and thereby on what the Foal Farm Ebbs has stood for for six decades.

The Tyrolean fillies are embarking on their journey in all directions: In addition to buyers from Tyrol and the other Austrian federal states, Haflinger enthusiasts from Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxembourg, and South Tyrol have bid for foals at the Foal Farm. The two fillies taking the longest journey are being brought to the United Kingdom by Emily Bambridge.

Notably, and a trend that has already been evident in recent years: International buyers are increasingly engaging in bidding wars with Tyrolean breeders for the top foals, confidently bidding even at high prices. The Tyrolean top quality is therefore no longer only in demand domestically but is actively sought after throughout Europe.

The most coveted foal at the anniversary auction was catalog number 1: The filly "Luise" from the ST line, Class I (Sire: Sternengold – Dam: Landera) bred by Jennifer Zebisch from Imst was sold after an exciting bidding war for 12,900 euros – more than seven times the starting price of 1,800 euros – to the Gurschler family from Sölden, who were also represented with foals in the catalog.

Especially pleasing from the association's perspective: Top foals from other bloodlines also achieved record prices. The most expensive foal of Class IIa+, "Hannja" (Cat. No. 87, W-line, Sire: Wotan – Dam: Hellena) bred by Daniel Zangerl from See in Paznaun, changed hands for 5,900 euros to the breeding family Löffler in Tyrol. The most expensive foal of Class IIa, "Hiana" (Cat. No. 89, Sire: Wotan – Dam: Hanina) bred by Daniela Melmer from Arzl in Pitztal, went for 4,500 euros to the Planitzer family in Austria. A nice sign of the quality and breadth of Tyrolean Haflinger breeding across all bloodlines and breeding classes.

Peter Blick from Moosbruch (Germany) has been connected to Haflinger horses since 1984. In 1990, he participated in the auction in Ebbs for the first time, and in 1996 he bought his first four foals - and he has been attending the foal farm as a buyer every year since then, up to today. At the anniversary auction, he bought his 115th foal. The auction was specifically interrupted for this occasion, and Peter Blick was honored in the arena.

Hans van den Berg from Arcen in the Netherlands has a family history with the Tyrolean Haflinger breeding that goes back even further than the auction itself: As early as 1961, his grandfather brought the first Haflingers by train from Tyrol to the Netherlands. He personally bought his first Tyrolean Haflingers in 1983/84 and has been purchasing his horses at the auction in Ebbs for around 30 years. This year, he was honored for the purchase of his 150th Tyrolean Haflinger horse.

The Haflinger breeding association of Tyrol is very grateful to both buyers for their decades of loyalty. This bond is not taken for granted - which makes it all the more pleasing for the association. At the same time, it is a mandate: providing Tyrolean quality is and remains the top priority. And it shows what has characterized the foal farm in Ebbs for decades: it is a meeting point and home for Haflinger friends from all over the world - a place where breeding families and buyers often know each other for generations, and horse purchasing is a matter of trust.

The anniversary weekend came to a dignified end on Sunday, September 27, with the Haflinger Experience Day at the Foal Farm. With perfect weather and free admission, numerous families, horse enthusiasts, and guests took the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of the world's center for Haflinger breeding – featuring demonstrations of "Haflinger live", guided tours of the stud farm, the honoring of the Tyrolean champions in Haflinger equestrian sports, and a retrospective on 60 years of auction history.

The Haflinger Breeding Association Tyrol (HPT) warmly congratulates all buyers and breeders and thanks all visitors as well as all helpers who made the anniversary weekend a special experience.

Already on Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Fohlenhof Ebbs invites you to the "Day of Young Stallions" with the presentation of the stallion candidates (11 AM), a mountain drive festival, and Haflinger stallion drive (1 PM) – with free admission. The 61st Tyrolean Haflinger auction weekend will take place on September 25 and 26, 2027, at Fohlenhof Ebbs.