Carriage champions change hands as buyers saddle up for rare opportunity

A Victorian based horse-drawn carriage business has offered some of their most notable horses over the weekend, with 17 head presented for sale through the Unique Equine Auction, interfaced online via AuctionsPlus.

The horses were presented in the auction as either ridden or drawing a carriage. Vid: AuctionsPlus

The draft was offered by Unique Carriage Hire, which presented a handful of its well-known carriage fleet to market in an uncommon release of standout horses.

Founded in 1987 by Dean Crichton, the business has grown from humble beginnings into one of the country’s best-known commercial carriage operations.

Over the years, Mr Crichton sought out some of the best harness trainers and horsemen in Australia and abroad, where he would purchase two Percheron horses and a small carriage, booking his first wedding soon after.

From there, Unique Carriage Hire steadily expanded. Today, the Crichton family manages more than 100 horses and operates a fleet of nine carriages across Melbourne. 

The horses have featured in everything from CBD tours, weddings, photoshoots and funerals, with Mr Crichton priding himself on “breeding the best commercially trained harness horses and having the best carriages in Melbourne”.

That legacy was on display at Rosewin Equestrian Centre in Ripplebrook, VIC, where the vendor offered a hand-picked draft.

“From commercially trained horses to young future stars, this is your chance to secure quality, sought-after horses,” the catalogue read.

Among the standout offerings were two stallions, both of which attracted strong online competition. 

Zac Gleeson from Elders Delaney Livestock and Property handled the sale. Vid: AuctionsPlus

The stallions topped the sale, both knocked down to an online buyer in NSW. Spartacus (Lot 1) sold for $26,000, while Ebony Park Renegade (Lot 2) achieved the top price of the day at $28,000. 

The auction generated solid engagement online and onsite, with 211 logins, 12 active online bidders and more than 5,800 catalogue views.