World champion to be sold privately as auction bids too low
Zenith SFN NOP has been bought back by the Showjumping Fund of the Netherlands (SFN) to sell privately as his sale price was not high enough at auction.
SFN itself bid €850,000 for the world and European championship-winning showjumper as it was felt the value of the bids placed for him “were not in accordance with his quality”.
“Instead there will be a private sale of SFN Zenith NOP in the near future,” an SFN spokesman said.
Jeroen Dubeeldam’s ride, who has recently returned from the Rio Olympics having finished seventh individually, was one of six horses auctioned by SFN in a week-long online sale, as the investment scheme had to come to an end.
Aquila SFN, who has competed internationally with Wout-Jan van der Schans, was sold for €750,000, to a “highly regarded French rider”.
Six-year-old Ferrari SFN was sold for €165,000, to a “famous Belgian jumping stable”, and Djumpsina SFN to Belgian Jos Lansink.
Seven-year-old Eloma’s Blue SFN was bought for €70,000 by SFN II, the scheme’s successor, so will continue to be ridden by Wout-Jan van der Schans. The spokesman said negotiations are “ongoing” for Chuck Blue SFN.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“In general, the majority of the bidders were from outside The Netherlands, and there was little interest from the Dutch to keep horses of such exceptional level within their ownership,” said the SFN spokesman.
“This underlines the importance of an institution such as the SFN to support the future of Dutch-produced competition horses.
Related articles:
- €500k starting price for world and European champion showjumper
- Tales from Rio: The horse bought at auction for half a million euros who nearly died
- Uthopia auction update: Carl Hester confirms positive outcome
“The SFN management are incredibly grateful for the support its shareholders have given the SFN and equestrian sport in The Netherlands during recent years.”
The SFN — a unique syndicate thought up by Dutch equestrian journalist Jacob Melissen — was created in 2006 and opened to Dutch equestrian fans. It allowed investment in keeping Dutch-bred horses on home soil and available for Dutch riders.
It had to come to an end due to EU investment law but the aim of SFN II is to continue the initiative.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.