News

Classic Shines During Opening Evening

6th Feb 2016

The buzz that has engulfed the Inglis Newmarket Complex this week continued strongly into the opening session of the Classic Yearling Sale this evening, with 80% of lots selling at an average of $56,551.

70 unique buyers purchased the 78 lots today, including 13 yearlings by 12 different sires for $100,000 or more, underlining the depth of bidding action present.

Snitzel was the only sire to have two yearlings sell in the top 13 and his duo included the top-priced lot which was secured early in the night by Louis Mihalyka’s Laurel Oak Bloodstock, who outlaid $170,000 for Lot 17 (Snitzel x Hussterics) from Arrowfield Stud. The Sydney-based bloodstock agent outlasted determined bidding from interstate agents to take home the well-related colt, whose two-year-old three-quarter sister Hussterical scored for Gai Waterhouse at Newcastle today. The only other foal from the mare, three-year-old Lady Jivago was the winner of the RL Inglis Classic race last year.

“I obviously liked his pedigree, and I really liked the currentness of the mare. More than that, the horse is a real athlete and he looks like a runner,” said Mihalyka.

"Being by such a hot sire gave him an added conviction, and when Snitzel is inbred through the Easy Date pedigree it has resulted in very successful crosses and this colt has everything he needs to be a top two-year-old and three-year-old.

“His destination is to be confirmed. We have a few more to look at from this sale before we sit down and decide on the correct owner and trainer combination for this colt,” Mihalyka added.

High Chaparral x Hill of Peace (Lot 8) was secured by Rick Connolly on behalf of McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $160,000 from Holbrook Thoroughbreds, who reported overwhelming interest in both the Lots they sold today.

Their All Too Hard x Jewelled filly (Lot 32) filly was purchased by Victorian trainer Ken Keys for $130,000.

Progeny by Yarraman Park Stud’s hot young sire I Am Invincible has been immensely popular during inspections this week, and the filly they presented as Lot 70 (ex Lis Nediym) was no exception, being knocked down to Billy Healey for Wishbone Farm for $155,000. The young Sunshine Coast trainer outstayed bidding from several parties including YuLong Investments.

“We signed for the horse on behalf of my major owner Darren Wilson,” said Healey.

“I loved the look of the filly from the beginning, and I’m lucky enough Darren did also,” Healey said.

Inglis’ Make-An-Offer Service is available for lots which passed-in at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this evening.

The sale’s second day of selling kicks off tomorrow at 10:00am with Lots 111 to 343 to go under the hammer. Monday’s third and final session will also begin at 10.00am starting with Lot 344 and concluding with Lot 575.

The remaining two days of the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale will be broadcast on Inglis Sale Day Live, plus Online Bidding and Make-An-Offer will again be available.

All yearlings offered at the sale are eligible for entry into the $5 million Inglis Race Series covering their 2YO, 3YO and 4YO racing seasons. For more information go to inglis.com.au/races

2016 Classic Yearling Sale statistics
(2015 Day One in Brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 110 (175)
Lots Sold: 78 (136)
Clearance Rate: 80% (84%)
Average Price: $56,551 ($45,169)
Median Price: $45,000 ($38,000)
Top Price: $170,000 ($310,000)
Gross: $4,411,000 ($6,143,000)