News

Inglis No.1

20th Jun 2005

If Group One racing is the gauge by which we measure success in our industry, then William Inglis and Son Ltd is entitled to be delighted with their results during 2004/2005.

Inglis Graduates claimed 26 Group One races with 16 individual horses, in the 2004/2005 racing season. Of the Group One winners in the 2004/2005 racing season offered at Australasian sales, 55% of the horses graduated from the Inglis sale ring, 30% from Magic Millions and 15% from New Zealand Bloodstock.

“It’s been a tremendous performance and we congratulate all connections of the horses on their outstanding success,” said Inglis Managing Director, Reg Inglis.

“Thoroughbred sales are judged on the success of their graduates on the racetrack over a period of time and we are delighted that so many of our buyers are reaping the rewards of purchasing from our sales,” commented a delighted Reg Inglis.

Grand Armee was the star performer at Group One level this season taking five events at the highest level.

Purchased by his owner Alan Bell at the 2000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $150,000, Grand Armee is now the highest stake earner ever prepared by Gai Waterhouse with prize money of $5.3 million.

Globe-trotting stallion prospect Elvstroem proved his worth in both hemispheres this season, capturing three Group Ones in Australia and a historic first Group One victory for an Australian horse in Dubai, when he took out the Dubai Duty Free Gr 1 at the World Cup meeting in March.

Elvstroem will retire to Blue Gum Farm in Victoria this spring where he will commence a lucrative stud career.

Other Inglis Group One stars poised for a move to the breeding barn this season are the outstanding Danehill (USA) colts Fastnet Rock and Al Maher, destined respectively for Coolmore and Emirates Park.

Lauded by Paul Perry as the best horse he has trained, Fastnet Rock claimed Group One wins against the older horses in the VRC Lightning Stakes and MRC Oakleigh Plate amassing earnings of $1.7 million.

Al Maher ranks as thoroughbred royalty, being a three-quarter brother-in-blood to sire sensation Redoute’s Choice.

A $575,000 purchase from the 2003 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Al Maher racked up over $1million in prize money, highlighted by an ultra impressive win in the VRC Cadbury Australian Guineas Gr 1 at Flemington.

Three year old fillies played a major role in the success of Inglis Graduates this season with three Oaks winners – Hollow Bullet, Irish Darling and Vitesse Dane, plus the freakishly good filly Alinghi, which triumphed in three Group One events including the VRC Newmarket Handicap, arguably the greatest sprint race in the country.

Alinghi was purchased by Slade Bloodstock for $80,000 at the 2003 Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne and placed in the care of leading trainer Lee Freedman.

The Encosta de Lago filly burst to prominence with a string of impressive wins as a juvenile before being beaten into third place as favourite in last year’s Golden Slipper.

Her form this season has been faultless, attracting the attention of leading Australian breeder John Messara of Arrowfield Stud, who secured the filly in a multi-million dollar deal that will see her campaigning in the USA later this year.

Australasian racehorses have proven their worth all over the world in recent years and there is no better place to invest in our top quality bloodstock than at Inglis thoroughbred sales.

For further information please contact Melissa O'Gorman on 02 9399 7999.