News

ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

6th Dec 2007

Just as the Sydney racing industry started it’s journey down the road to recovery last Saturday, another critical step forward was taken today when William Inglis and Son conducted the first thoroughbred sale in NSW since the EI crisis commenced more than three months ago. Despite the current turmoil within the thoroughbred industry and strict bio-security procedures in place at Newmarket, a good turnout of buyers were active at today’s Christmas Thoroughbred Sale and were keen to show their support in the ring with three lots breaking the $100,000 barrier.

Today’s average of $11,146 was more than 10% up from last years $9,677. This performance is even more noteworthy when one considers that last year the top horse sold for $520,000, a single transaction that pumped up the overall average. The clearance rate was also very respectable, with 82% of lots offered selling under the hammer.

The best result was kept till last when a handsome chestnut son of Magic Albert – the last lot through the ring - sold for the top-price of $125,000. The two-year-old colt is a half-brother to the good Queensland sprinter Shepishir, a stakes winner of 15 races. Trainer Tracey Bartley eventually had the last say and is looking forward to preparing the colt for the valuable Sydney juvenile races that await.

The royally bred Dubai’s Choice made the next best price when selling back to his Rosehill-based trainer Tim Martin for $110,000. A winner on debut in Sydney, Dubai’s Choice is an entire son of Redoute’s Choice and has obvious stud potential if he can return to winning ways.

The draft of mares consigned by Riverslea Farm attracted much interest and while it was disappointing that Sensuous, dam of the recent South African Group 1 winner Strategic News, fell just short of her $400,000 reserve price, Sunshine was the subject of several interested parties, eventually being knocked down to Reavill Farm for $100,000. A sister to the Group 1 winner Juanmo, Sunshine is already the dam of the three-time Listed placed Teppanyaki and sold in foal to Exceed And Excel, who has made such a good start with his first runners.

2006 saw 331 lots catalogued but this year there was just 88 due to the effects of EI. With restriction of movement still in place, only horses that had been vaccinated or carried antibodies from having had the virus (recovered horses) could enter the sale and unfortunately there were a number of late withdrawals as many vendors were unable to meet the strict DPI protocols in place. DPI officials attended the sale and were happy with conduct of the auction, assisting buyers where necessary with post sale movement of their purchases.

“Aside from the reduced number of entries, the market today showed no ill effects from the recent crisis to hit the thoroughbred industry,” William Inglis & Son Director Johnathan D’Arcy observed. “We had plenty of buyers from NSW and interstate with many lots exceeding their reserve.”

The next William Inglis & Son sale is in Melbourne with over 70 breeze-up horses and more than 200 tried racehorses next Thursday and Friday, December 13-14 at Oaklands Junction.

Top-priced lots

2 C Magic Albert – Elishir TOIKAN PARK, Mudgee T Bartley NSW $125,000

4 H DUBAI’S CHOICE Redoute's Choice Saucy Nell OWNERS Tim Martin Bloodstock NSW $110,000

BM SUNSHINE Kenmare (Fr) - Let's Shuffle RIVERSLEA FARM, Aberdeen Reavill Farm NSW $100,000

BM MARCENT Centaine - Spring Delight EMERALD THOROUGHBREDS, Mandalong A Kirk QLD $36,000

5 G Rightson Strategic - Volcanic Mist F COOREY, Sydney S Robinson QLD $26,000

Upcoming Sales

2007 2 & 3 Year Old Breeze Up, Oaklands VIC
Breeze Up: 13 December 11am
Sale: 14 December 10.30am

2007 December Thoroughbred Sale, Oaklands VIC
Sale: 14 December (following Breeze Up lots)