News

$2.4m colt highlights phenomenal Day 2 of Easter

5th Apr 2017

It took a syndicate of international powerbrokers to outbid a Sheikh for top Lot honours on a strong Day 2 of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket today.

Lot 178, a stunning Medaglia d’Oro x Hoss Amor colt from Yarraman Park, attracted the attention of a significant amount of top-level buyers wanting to take him home.

In the end it took a partnership, formed just hours before the sale, between Coolmore, Stonestreet, Aquis/Bluesky and Unifaith to secure the colt for $2,400,000 from under bidder Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

The price tag proved a further indicator of the strength and depth of the buyer market present at the sale, which has led to impressive overall figures.

At the conclusion of Day 2, the sale’s average was $354,044, median $270,000, gross $79,660,000 with a healthy clearance rate of 81%.

The leading vendor by aggregate is Arrowfield Stud ($10,355,000) and by average (three or more sold) is Yarraman Park at $600,714, while the leading buyer by Lots purchased is Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott with 14, while James Harron is the leader by average (three or more Lots bought) at $1,050,000 for four Lots.

The leading sire by aggregate is Snitzel ($13,590,000 from 29 sales) and by average (three or more Lots sold) is Easter graduate Exceed And Excel at $606,364.

To view the full statistics, CLICK HERE.

With one day to go, there have been 10 Lots sold for $1 million or more, by nine different sires – Medaglia d’Oro, Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Not A Single Doubt, Exceed And Excel, Fastnet Rock, Written Tycoon and Zoustar.

Last year’s sale saw nine $1 million-plus Lots sold over the three days.

To view the Inglis TV wrap of Day 2, CLICK HERE.

John Moynihan, bloodstock agent for American Barbara Banke of Stonestreet Farms, arrived in Sydney at 7am Friday, was inspecting horses at Newmarket by 10am and spotted the Hoss Amor colt shortly after.

“I was looking at another horse in the courtyard and quite a distance away I saw this colt and was like ‘who is that? I’ve got to go see that horse’. He just looks like a really special horse,’’ Moynihan said.

“Everybody came together because everybody wanted the horse so we thought it best to go at it as a team rather than go against each other, knowing he was going to attract a lot of money.

“We got lucky. It was a lot to give but we think he’s a special horse and I think you’ve got to step up to get those ones that look like they can be that good.’’

Vendor Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park described the colt as “the perfect yearling’’.

“He was always very nice but I think he’s bloomed in prep and as every day went on, he was just the perfect yearling, he never put a foot wrong,’’ Mitchell said.

“He’s just a lovely-natured nice colt but obviously we didn’t think he’d make that sort of money.

“We knew we were bringing a nice colt down.’’

The top filly for the day was Lot 310 (Snitzel x Response) for Arrowfield Stud, which sold to Emirates Park for $1,700,000.

Arrowfield’s John Messara knew the filly would be popular.

“She’s a queen and she had it all – pedigree, type, sire, she was worth every penny,’’ Messara said.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said the sale statistics highlighted the overall health of the industry.

“The diverse interest in racing and breeding across the globe is phenomenally strong at present and that is having a significant impact on overall figures,’’ Webster said.

“There are investors from all points of the globe at Newmarket this week, many working together to secure their chosen yearlings.

“It really does show the international interest and strength of our industry and that’s an exciting position to be in.’’

Day 3 action begins at midday Thursday.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

2017 AUSTRALIAN EASTER YEARLING SALE – END OF DAY 2 STATISTICS

(2016 figures in brackets)

Lots sold: 225 (291)

Clearance Rate: 81% (80%)

Average Price: $354,044 ($281,211)

Median Price: $270,000 ($200,000)

Top Price: $2,400,000 ($2,300,000)

Gross: $79,660,000 ($81,832,500)