In Viborg, the former ViegĂ„rd Stud Farm, which has been the center of a series of controversies, has now been sold at a forced auction for 8.51 million Danish kroner. The property, located in Skals near Viborg, has been the focal point of both animal welfare issues and financial downturn. The stud farm came into the media spotlight when around 50 buried horses were found on the property in August 2023. These animals had been buried without the necessary permits, leading to great public outrage and media coverage. The situation was further exacerbated by allegations against the former owner of the stud farm for mistreatment of horses. These events prompted protests from animal welfare activists, and several confrontations between activists and the stud farm’s staff occurred. This public unrest culminated in ViegĂ„rd Stud Farm going bankrupt in October 2023. Friday’s forced auction at the Viborg Court marked the end of a long and tumultuous period for the property.
The buyer of the stud farm was the Danish company Ben Hur ApS, which is now faced with the task of revitalizing and possibly restructuring the use of the extensive grounds. This case has not only been a burden for the parties involved, but has also raised questions about animal welfare and regulation of stud farms and similar businesses in Denmark. It remains to be seen how the new owner will handle the legacy of ViegÄrd Stud Farm and the associated lands.