Itapira, Brazil (August 15, 2011) – Interagro Lusitanos, the largest exporter of Lusitano horses in the world, pioneered private auctions of Lusitano horses in Brazil 20 years ago, a tradition that continues today. The 2011 Interagro Collection Auction, which also features the 12th Annual Interagro Foal Auction, will not only give buyers the chance to purchase Lusitanos already being ridden under saddle, but will also give buyers the unique chance to purchase fillies, a remarkable opportunity as Interagro is not known for selling their mares.
“The auction, which will be held in Brazil at our family’s Interagro Lusitano Farm, will not only feature fillies for sale but will also be the last chance for buyers to purchase foals from Ofensor (MV), the most important Lusitano stallion in recent history. He passed away last April so this is a great opportunity to have one of his offspring,” said Cecilia Gonzaga, the daughter of Interagro founder Dr. Paulo Gonzaga, who manages the farm and its operations today. “The foal auction will also offer the first babies of Nirvana. We exported some young horses by him in private deals last year, but this will be the first time his foals will be available through auction.”
Interagro Lusitanos, the winner of the prestigious “Best Breeder of the Year” Award by ABPSL in 2009/2010, is well known for holding prestigious auctions both in the United States and Brazil. “Our 2011 auction will be held Saturday, August 27 in Brazil and will feature eight horses under saddle as well as three pairs of fillies and 10 pairs of colts,” Gonzaga said. “All of the adult horses in the auction have tested negative for piroplasmosis at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Iowa, and are ready to be exported. We will also have Global Trans Connection (GTC) available to help our clients with exporting their horses and providing estimates.” More information on exporting and GTC can be found on Interagro’s website.
Gonzaga added that the foal auction is always a highlight, as the foals are auctioned off in pairs and the bidding winner gets to pick the foal he wants from the pair. “The other foal can be sold for the previous bid to this buyer or if he doesn’t want it, to anyone in the audience,” Gonzaga said. “It creates a big and exciting competition for the baby as sometimes a bidder will want lot 1A and lot 1B. We try to select the pairs by sire, and if that isn’t possible, by bloodlines.”
Peter van Borst, the United States representative for Interagro Lusitanos, and Todd Grace, another U.S. representative, will be on hand at the auction to bid for those unable to attend. An 8% auction fee will be added to the cost of each horse and horses sold within the country can be paid in installments. “Payment for overseas clients will be set in a 50% payment before departure and a 50% payment after release from quarantine,” van Borst said. “Interagro is the only farm that does this and they have become well known for it.”
To view the horses that will be featured in the upcoming auction, visit www.interagro.com.br/2011. To learn more about Interagro Lusitanos, visit their website at www.lusitano-interagro.com.
About Interagro Lusitanos
Founded in 1975 by Dr. Paulo Gavião Gonzaga to preserve the Lusitano breed, Interagro Lusitanos is now recognized as the world’s largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses. Dr. Gonzaga started with a small band of four mares and one stallion imported to Brazil from the breed’s native Portugal; to date nearly 700 horses populate the 1200-acre ranch outside São Paulo. Today, Cecilia Gonzaga manages the farm and operations. Interagro Lusitanos are handled, prepared, and evaluated from birth, with a handful of the best stock presented at auction each year.
For more information contact:
Johnny Robb – JRPR, Inc.
561-753-4608
jrpr@mac.com