Terms And Conditions

The attention of Owners, Vendors and Purchasers is drawn to these Conditions of Sale of a horse by Public Auction, including bidding via an online platform. These Conditions of Sale form the basis of the contract between the Purchaser, Owner and Vendor. We advise all prospective Purchasers to carefully read these Conditions of Sale before bidding. The attention of Purchasers is particularly drawn to their rights, procedures and time limits in the event of a complaint or dispute.

BOLESWORTH ELITE AUCTION
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE – 2026

1. ORGANISATION AND SCOPE

1.1. The Bolesworth Elite Auction (“Auction”) is organised by Bolesworth Events Limited,
Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9HQ (company VAT registered) (“BEA”).
1.2. BEA acts as auctioneer and intermediary only. The legal contract of sale for any Lot is
formed directly between the Seller and the Purchaser. BEA is not the owner or seller of
any Lot.
1.3. Participation in the Auction, whether in person, by telephone or online, constitutes
express and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
1.4. These Terms & conditions apply equally to foals, yearlings, ridden horses and embryos.

2. DEFINITIONS

2.1. “Auction” means the public auction of Lots conducted live and via the online platform
at www.boleswortheliteauctions.com
2.2. “Seller” means the legal owner of the Lot.
2.3. “Purchaser” means the highest bidder to whom a Lot is knocked down or any party
purchasing a Lot privately following the Auction.
2.4. “Lot” means any ridden horse, foal, yearling or related interest offered for sale.

3. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY

3.1. All bidders must register in advance in the manner prescribed by BEA.
3.2. By registering, the Purchaser confirms that they:
3.2.1. are legally capable of entering into binding contracts;
3.2.2. are bidding on their own behalf or have full authority to do so; and
3.2.3. have provided complete, accurate, and truthful information.
3.3. BEA reserves the right to refuse, suspend or cancel any registration or bidding activity at
its absolute discretion and without giving reasons.
3.4. Online bidding credentials are personal and non-transferable. The Purchaser is
responsible for all bids placed using their credentials.
3.5. BEA may require proof of identity or a refundable bidding deposit as a condition of
participation.

4. CONDUCT OF THE AUCTION

4.1. The Auction may be conducted live, online, or by telephone. BEA may regulate bidding
and the conduct of the Auction at its discretion.
4.2. All Lots may be subject to a reserve price. BEA may bid on behalf of the Seller up to the
reserve price.
4.3. All lots will commence at £5,000. Bids shall advance by at least £500 up to £15,000;
and £1,000 thereafter, although the auctioneer will have complete discretion at all
times.
4.4. The Seller may not bid on their own Lot, whether directly or indirectly, except where
expressly permitted by law.
4.5. The contract of sale is formed on the fall of the hammer or, in the case of online
bidding, at the close of bidding.
4.6. In the event of a bidding dispute, BEA’s decision shall be final.

5. ONLINE PLATFORM

5.1. BEA provides access to the online bidding platform as a technical service only.
5.2. BEA accepts no liability for interruption, delay, malfunction, or failure of the online
platform or internet connectivity.

6. LEGALLY BINDING EFFECTS OF BIDS

6.1. The auction is conducted as a live auction by an auctioneer present in the auction
room.
6.2. Bidding may take place in person, by telephone, or via an online bidding platform;
however, all bids are treated equally in law.
6.3. Each bid constitutes a legally binding offer to purchase the relevant lot.
6.4. Upon acceptance of a bid by the auctioneer – whether signified by the fall of the
hammer or any other customary indication of acceptance – a legally binding contract is
immediately formed between the bidder and the seller. This applies irrespective of the
method by which the bid was made.
6.5. Bids may not be withdrawn once placed, and all bidders are deemed to have satisfied
themselves as to their authority to bid, their ability to complete the purchase, and their
acceptance of the Terms and Conditions prior to bidding.

7. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION OF LOTS

7.1. All Lots are sold as they stand at the time of sale.
7.2. Descriptions, pedigrees, images, videos and veterinary information are provided for
guidance only and are supplied by or on behalf of the Seller.
7.3. BEA gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information and
accepts no liability for errors or omissions.
7.4. BEA is not responsible for interpreting veterinary findings.
7.5. No Lot is sold with any guarantee of fitness for a particular purpose unless expressly
stated in writing.
7.6. Where embryos are described as sexed, this represents an indication only and not a
guarantee.

8. RIDDEN HORSE LOTS

8.1. Where a Lot is offered for sale as a ridden horse:
8.1.1. The Purchaser acknowledges that horses are unpredictable animals and that
8.1.2. behaviour, performance, soundness, temperament and rideability may vary
according to rider, environment, management, training and use.
8.1.3. No warranty or representation is given or implied as to the suitability of a ridden
horse for any particular purpose, competition, discipline, level, rider or intended
use.
8.2. Any description of a ridden horse as suitable for a particular activity, discipline or level
is provided for guidance only and does not constitute a guarantee.
8.3. The Purchaser is deemed to have satisfied themselves as to the condition, suitability
and characteristics of the ridden horse prior to bidding, whether by inspection, trial or
otherwise.
8.4. Any veterinary examination, trial or assessment undertaken prior to the Auction is
carried out at the Purchaser’s risk and expense and does not affect the binding nature
of the sale.
8.5. All ridden horses are sold as they stand at the time of sale and subject to the Terms and
Conditions of Sale.

9. WILD CARD / YOUNG HORSE LOTS

9.1. Where a Lot is offered for sale as a Wild Card or Young Horse Lot, the Purchaser
acknowledges that such horses are offered on the basis of their present condition,
pedigree, potential and stage of development at the time of sale. No warranty or
representation is given or implied as to future performance, suitability, rideability,
temperament, soundness or competition success unless expressly stated in writing by
the Seller prior to the Auction.
9.2. Any claim alleging material misdescription or the existence of an undisclosed vice or
veterinary condition must be notified in writing to BEA within fourteen (14) days of the
Auction. BEA may appoint an independent veterinary surgeon or other suitably qualified
expert to review the claim, whose opinion shall be final and binding on the Seller and
Purchaser.

10. VETTINGS

10.1. Ridden Horses
10.1.1. All ridden horses offered for sale have undergone a five-stage pre-purchase
veterinary examination conducted by a qualified veterinary surgeon within fortyeight (48) hours of the auction. This examination comprises:
10.1.1.1. a clinical examination at rest;
10.1.1.2. assessment in hand;
10.1.1.3. ridden exercise assessment;
10.1.1.4. a period of rest with re-examination;
10.1.1.5. and a final trot-up.
10.1.2. Blood samples have been taken and stored for a period of up to six (6) months
for potential future substance analysis.
10.1.3. Diagnostic imaging (x-rays) of the relevant limbs, feet, neck, and back has been
undertaken within the current calendar year. Full veterinary reports and all
diagnostic images are available for inspection online via the relevant Lot profile.
Prospective purchasers shall be deemed to have satisfied themselves as to the
veterinary condition of any Lot prior to bidding.
10.2. Yearlings and Three-Year-Olds
10.2.1. All yearlings or three year olds offered for sale have undergone a two-stage prepurchase veterinary examination conducted by a qualified veterinary surgeon
within forty-eight (48) hours of the auction, comprising a clinical examination at
rest and assessment in hand.
10.2.2. Diagnostic imaging (x-rays) of relevant joints and feet has been undertaken
within the current calendar year and approved by Hird & Partners. Full veterinary
reports and all diagnostic images are available for inspection online via the
relevant Lot profile.
10.2.3. Prospective purchasers shall be deemed to have satisfied themselves as to the
veterinary condition of any Lot prior to bidding.
10.3. Foals
10.3.1. All foals offered for sale have undergone a two-stage pre-purchase veterinary
examination conducted by a qualified veterinary surgeon within forty-eight (48)
hours of the auction, comprising a clinical examination at rest and assessment in
hand.

11. POST-AUCTION PRIVATE SALE

11.1. Where a lot (including, without limitation foals, yearlings or ridden horses) is
offered for sale at the auction but is not sold, and is subsequently sold by or on behalf
of the seller within 30 days following the close of the auction, whether by private treaty
of otherwise, the auctioneer shall be entitled to its full commission and any applicable
fees as if the lot had been sold at auction. This applies where the subsequent sale is
made to any party who registered for, attended, bid at, or was introduced to the lot in
connection with the auction, or where the sale results directly or indirectly from the lot
having been offered at the auction.

12. PAYMENT, COMMISSION AND VAT

12.1. All bidding and settlement shall be in Pounds Sterling (£).
12.2. A purchaser’s commission (inclusive of all auction fees) shall be payable in
addition to the hammer price and is subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.
12.3. Payment in full must be received in cleared funds by the deadline notified by BEA
following the Auction.
12.4. Ownership documents and the lot will not be released until full payment has
been received.
12.5. The Purchaser may not withhold or delay payment by reason of any dispute or
claim.
12.6. If the Purchaser fails to complete payment in accordance with these Terms they
shall be liable for all losses, costs and expenses arising from such default,
including any shortfall on resale.
12.7. BEA shall not be liable to the Seller for any failure by the Purchaser to complete
payment.

13. RISK, DELIVERY AND TRANSPORT

13.1. Risk in the Lot passes to the Purchaser upon payment in full.
13.2. Delivery and transport arrangements are the responsibility of the Purchaser
13.3. unless otherwise agreed in writing.
13.4. No Lot shall be released until BEA has confirmed receipt of cleared funds.

14. INSURANCE

14.1. Fall of Hammer Insurance Cover
Full details of FOH insurance cover can be found on the Bolesworth website [link].

15. DAMS AND RECIPIENT MARES

15.1. The Auction Catalogue shall specify whether the Purchaser or Seller is
responsible for the recipient mare.
15.2. Where the Purchaser assumes responsibility for the mare, they shall be liable
for:
15.2.1.1.1. transport, insurance, veterinary costs, and
15.2.1.1.2. return of the mare following weaning to an agreed UK location.
15.2.1.1.3. compensation for loss or injury as specified in the Catalogue.
15.3. Where the Seller retains responsibility, ownership and risk in the foal shall
transfer upon delivery to the Purchaser.

16. VAT AND EXPORT

16.1. VAT shall be applied in accordance with UK and applicable international VAT
rules.
16.2. Where VAT exemption is claimed on export, the Purchaser must provide
satisfactory evidence within three (3) months of the Auction.

17. LIABILITY

17.1. BEA shall not be liable for any defect, illness, loss or damage to a Lot, save
where required by law.
17.2. Any claim relating to a Lot shall be made by the Purchaser directly against the
Seller.

18.DISPUTES AND MEDIATION

18.1. Any post-sale claim is strictly between the Seller and Purchaser.
18.2. BEA may, but is not obliged to, assist in facilitating discussions between Seller
and Purchaser.
18.3. Pending resolution of any dispute, BEA may hold sale proceeds in escrow.

19. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

19.1. These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising from them shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
19.2. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction.