Harcourts Celebrates Kobe Rae's Masterful Victory at the 2026 Apollo Auction Competition

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Harcourts is incredibly proud to announce that Kobe Rae, our dedicated Auction Growth Manager at Harcourts Queensland, has secured the prestigious Open Division title at the 2026 Apollo Auction Competition.

At Apollo Auctions, progress is viewed not merely as a slogan, but as an operational imperative. Their annual competition is designed to stretch talent, sharpen instincts, and fast-track the next generation of elite auctioneers. It is a rigorous, pressure-cooker environment where technique is put to the ultimate test, confidence is forged, and careers take a monumental leap forward.

Reflecting on his remarkable win, Kobe was quick to shift the spotlight onto the community around him. He expressed deep gratitude to the entire Harcourts network and the clients who place their trust in him to call auctions on their behalf each week, acknowledging that without them, this achievement would simply not be possible.

He also paid tribute to his fellow auctioneers, both within the competition and across the wider industry, for consistently pushing the standards of excellence.

"I am truly honoured to be recognised as the Open Division Champion for AAC2026 against some of the very best auctioneers across Australia and New Zealand," Kobe shared. "I am incredibly grateful to Apollo for hosting this event, and to Greg Brydon, Greg Allan, Shane Cortese, and Harcourts for supporting my participation and my continued growth in this space."

Andrew Friebe, CEO of Harcourts Queensland, praised the milestone, highlighting the immense value Kobe brings to the group. "We are absolutely thrilled for Kobe. This victory is a testament to his relentless work ethic and his genuine passion for the craft of auctioneering," Mr Friebe noted. "Kobe does not just bring a gavel to the table; he brings a strategic advantage to our entire network.

His dedication to elevating those around him perfectly reflects our commitment to partnership and continuous learning, ensuring our teams are always positioned to deliver unparalleled results."

Looking ahead, Kobe shows no signs of slowing down. In just a fortnight, he will head to Auckland to compete in the LVD World Auctioneering Championships, with his sights firmly set on bringing home the win. His long-term ambition is to capture the Austros title, an achievement that separates the good from the truly great.

In the meantime, Kobe remains fiercely committed to servicing the Harcourts network. He continues to focus on ensuring our auction offering is best-in-class, actively coaching our agents on the intricacies of the auction process. By empowering them with advanced skills and insights, Kobe is ensuring our agents can continue to expertly serve their communities and achieve the best possible results in the market.