Head-to-head comparison
| Aspect | Auction | International direct sale |
|---|---|---|
| Gross proceeds | Market median + 0–40% | Market median |
| Seller's commission | 8–15% of the hammer price | 0% (portal fee only, €35–200 / approx. £30–172 / US$38–216) |
| Consignment fee | €250–1,000 (approx. £215–860 / US$270–1,080) | — |
| Sales preparation / livery costs | €800–2,500 (4–8 weeks in the auction yard) | — |
| Time to sale | Fixed (sale day) | 3–12 weeks |
| Choice of buyer | None (highest bidder wins) | Full control |
| Risk of no sale | Possible (reserve price not met) | No revenue risk, only time |
| International reach | High (auctions pull buyers from 10+ countries) | High (with a multi-portal strategy) |
Top horse auctions 2026 — Europe, UK and US
| Auction | Country | Focus | Seller's commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSI Auction Ankum | DE | Top sport horses, international collection | 10–12% |
| Excellent Horses Luxembourg | LU | Premium showjumpers by leading sires | 12–15% |
| Hannoveraner Verband Auction Verden | DE | Hanoverian foals and riding horses | 8–10% |
| KWPN Online Auction | NL | KWPN foals, yearlings, sport horses | 8–12% |
| Westfalen Auction Münster | DE | Westphalian sport and breeding horses | 8–10% |
| BWP Premium Auction | BE | Belgian Warmblood showjumping premium | 10–12% |
| ehorses Live Auction | DE | Online auction, mid-market segment | 5–8% |
| Excellent Horse-Lux Riesenbeck | DE | Top-level showjumpers | 10–15% |
| Trakehner Verband Auction | DE | Trakehner riding and sport horses | 10% |
| Fences Saint-Lô | FR | Selle Français elite auction | 10–12% |
| Goresbridge Go For Gold Sales | IE/UK | Performance sport horses, eventing focus | 10–12% |
| Brightwells | UK | Sport horses, performance and stores at Addington | 8–12% |
| Sportshorse Auctions | UK | Online showjumping and dressage prospects | 7–10% |
| Iron Spring Farm Auction | US (PA) | KWPN-NA bred dressage and sport horses | 10–15% |
| Hilltop Farm Sales | US (MD) | Sport horse prospects, young horses | 10–12% |
| Brookledge Sport Horse Auction | US | Imported European sport horses | 10–15% |
| Borchard Sport Horses | US | Hunter/jumper sales, all levels | 10–15% |
How a horse auction runs (4 phases)
- Consignment (4–8 weeks ahead): You submit the horse with papers and video. The auction team views the horse and decides. Acceptance rate at premium auctions runs 10–30%.
- Sales preparation at the auction yard: The horse moves to the auction yard for roughly 4–8 weeks, is schooled by the auction team, photographed, filmed and listed in the sale catalogue.
- Viewing days: Prospective buyers come to view and try the horse 1–3 days before the sale — the seller is typically not present.
- Sale day: Live bidding on site and online. The highest bidder takes the horse at the hammer price (above your reserve price / Limit). The auction house collects payment, withholds the commission and pays the balance to you.
The real cost of an auction — a €25,000 worked example
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gross hammer price | €25,000 (approx. £21,500 / US$27,000) |
| Seller's commission (12%) | −€3,000 |
| Consignment fee | −€500 |
| Sales preparation and livery (6 weeks) | −€1,500 |
| Transport to the auction house | −€400 |
| Video and photo production | −€250 |
| Seller's net proceeds | €19,350 |
The same gross price through a direct sale:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Gross sale price | €25,000 |
| Platform fee (Post-Your-Horse single listing) | −€35 |
| Advertising / professional photos (optional) | −€300 |
| Seller's net proceeds | €24,665 |
The direct sale therefore puts €5,315 more in your pocket — provided the same price is achieved. With a premium horse at auction (+30% from a bidding war), the picture flips the other way.
Advantages of a direct sale with international marketing
- Full control over the buyer: you choose the "right hands", and a sale to an amateur or family rider is just as possible.
- No auction commission: the 8–15% stays in your pocket.
- Flexible pricing: negotiable, no fixed auction reserve.
- No stress on the horse: the horse stays home, no change of yard or routine.
- International reach without an auction: a multi-portal strategy reaches the same international audience an auction does. More in our horse advert copywriting guide.
Rule of thumb: when does each route pay off?
Decision framework
- Auction makes sense when:
- Top bloodlines (leading sires like Comme il faut, Diamant de Semilly, Totilas line)
- Market value > €25,000 (approx. £21,500 / US$27,000)
- Documented international potential
- Accepted by a premium auction (PSI, Excellent Horses, Hannoveraner, Goresbridge, Iron Spring Farm)
- Direct sale makes sense when:
- Leisure, amateur or all-rounder horse
- Market value < €25,000
- Choice of buyer ("right hands") matters to you
- You're flexible on the timeline
Hybrid strategy: international direct sale first, auction as a backup
Many breeders run 3–6 months of international direct sale (with Post-Your-Horse across 10+ portals in 7 countries) — if no sale happens, the horse goes to a seasonal auction. That gives you the chance at 100% net proceeds without the auction stress, with the auction as a safety net. List your horse from €35.
Frequently asked questions: auction vs direct sale
Auction or direct sale — which nets more?
Top sport horses with leading sires: auction +20–40%. Average horses: direct sale nets more once you subtract the 8–15% seller's commission.
What are the top horse auctions in 2026?
PSI Ankum, Excellent Horses LU, Hannoveraner Verden, KWPN Online, Westfalen Münster, BWP, ehorses, Trakehner, Goresbridge, Brightwells, Iron Spring Farm, Hilltop Farm.
What commission do auctions charge?
8–15% seller's commission plus consignment and sales preparation costs. At a €25,000 hammer price: roughly €5,000 in total fees.
How does a horse auction work?
Four phases: consignment and acceptance, sales preparation at the auction yard, viewing days, sale day with live bidding.
What are the advantages of a direct sale?
Full control of the buyer, no commission, flexible pricing, no stress on the horse, international reach through a multi-portal strategy.
Start your international direct sale
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