Itapira, Brazil (September 5, 2011) – The 2011 Interagro National Auction at Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil proved to be a successful event with buyers purchasing 28 top quality Lusitano horses and foals. The auction not only gave buyers an exclusive opportunity to purchase Interagro horses, but it also gave them the opportunity to become part of the family of Interagro Lusitano owners.
“The National Auction focuses mainly on yearlings and a small number of young horses just starting training under saddle. It exclusively offers Lusitanos bred by Interagro and gives clients a direct contact to the breeder with no secondary sales agent,” said Todd Grace, Client Services and Event Director for Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses. “As in years past, the auction was a great success.”
The auction attracted many breeders and Lusitano aficionados alike; however, most of the young horses were purchased by amateur riders that had come to the farm and tried them prior to the auction. The average price of a horse purchased at the auction, before taxes and transport fees, was $10,900 with Decurio Interagro bringing in the highest bid at $24,540. The average price for a foal was $4,500 with Giotto Interagro bringing in $7,400. Many buyers attended with the hopes of not only finding their dream horse, but taking home a bloodline they wished to add to their stable. Many horses at this year’s auction were from very desirable bloodlines. Giotto, the high selling foal, is by Nirvana Interagro and this was the first time his foals were sold at auction. Buyers were also presented with foals by Tufão Interagro, Profano Interagro, and Ofensor (MV). “All of the horses were amazingly calm considering the bustling crowd, music, and shouts of the dynamic bid spotters,” remarked Mr. Grace. “It was quite incredible considering how young the horses are and that it was the first time any of them had been in that kind of public setting.”
Founded by Dr. Paulo Gonzaga in 1975, Interagro Lusitanos is a family run operation, now headed by Managing Director Cecilia Gonzaga, daughter of Dr. Gonzaga. “Cecilia stays in touch with the new owners and really goes out of her way to make their experience at Interagro a positive one. Cecilia’s knowledge of the bloodlines and traits of each and every horse at Interagro is extremely impressive. She is a walking encyclopedia of all of the Interagro horses, which is a huge asset to Interagro’s clients,” Grace said. “Since Interagro held their first private auction in 1992 in Sao Paulo, clients have become enraptured with the Interagro horse. In 2000, with the opening of the farm’s indoor arena, the auction moved to Interagro’s home location near Itapira, and this has been a huge success in terms of incorporating the sale of the horses with the idyllic qualities of the farm.”
For prospective buyers unable to attend the auction, Interagro has recently begun offering private trips to the Brazilian farm with Sales Director, Mr. Peter van Borst. “Taking a trip to Interagro with Peter is an exciting and educational treat,” Grace said. “Each prospective buyer gets to experience Interagro in a unique way; from riding and driving the horses, learning the history of the farm, experiencing the Brazilian culture and food to appreciating the warmth and dedication that the Gonzaga family has for their horses, home, and country.”
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