News

$6M Traded at Buoyant Classic Opener

24th Jan 2010

The opening session of the 2010 Inglis Classic Sale has bucked the global downward trend to post a first day average 24% higher than last year’s overall figure.

In an excellent day’s trading, 183 yearlings sold for a gross of $6,040,000 at an average of $33,005. The clearance rate closed at 80%.

With one session remaining, the sale is on target to clearly exceed the $10.5million 2009 gross and $26,598 average.

The opening session was topped by Golden Grove’s bay colt by Danehill’s multiple European Group 1 winner Oratorio from the Desert Prince mare Pacific Dreams, which was knocked down to Bert Vieira for $200,000.

The colt is from the family of Mamzelle Pedrille, O’Lonhro and the recently retired Group 3 winning Classic graduate I Am Invincible.

He was one of eight yearlings to top six figures today, with fillies by Snitzel, Tiger Hill and Choisir filling the next three spots on the leader board.

“For the market to be up 25% and clear over 80% is an excellent result,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“There was a great turnout of trainers and agents from all major regions of Australasia as well as buyers from Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

“It was also pleasing to see new investors to Classic, including Bert Vieira who purchased the session topper and BC3 who bought for their two-year-old sale later this year.

“The Classic Sale has the reputation for results and no doubt there will be some excellent buys from today's sale to add to the sales honour role.”

One man who can vouch for that fact is Michael Tubman, who secured $340,000 earner Chance Bye out of this sale for $15,000 last year. Tubman was seeking similar bargains today, making four purchases up to $22,000.

All horses passed in during today’s session are available via the Inglis Make an Offer Service.

The sale continues from 11am tomorrow.

The Inglis Photo Gallery with all the action of today’s sale can be viewed online.

Day 1, 24 January 2010
Lots 1 – 261
Sold: 183, 80%
Passed In: 46, 20%
Withdrawn: 32
Gross Amount: $6,040,000
Highest (Lot 208): $200,000
Average: $33,005
Median: $24,000