News

Darby strikes as Caballus tops October (Early) Online Sale

11th Oct 2023

They missed out on the second-top lot at yesterday’s Ready2Race Sale but leading syndicator Darby Racing weren’t going to be outbid on talented 3YO Caballus (I Am Invincible) today, who topped the Inglis Digital October (Early) Sale at $315,000.

Scott Darby confirmed he was the underbidder on the I Am Invincible x Bit of Cheek colt which Willie Leung eventually purchased for $370,000 at Riverside at Tuesday’s 2YO Sale.

So when Caballus was up for auction online, Darby knew he had to have him.

“He’s lightly raced and in the race he won at Randwick we actually had a horse in it that we really liked and Estriella finished second that day for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace so we spoke to them this week and they think she’s a Group 1 horse, so we were more than prepared to go strong on Caballus,’’ Darby said.

“We were active at the Ready2Race Sale and were thrilled to take home what we did but we were underbidder on the equal second-top lot up to $360,000 and then when you miss out on that and take a look at a horse like Caballus, he was a $1m yearling with really good form, vetted out nicely and he’s a horse we know can gallop and at the very least is Saturday Metropolitan level, so I think he’s a great addition to our team.

“He’ll go to Bjorn Baker to be trained, we’ll give him a little break then get him back and work him through his grades and then target something decent with him.’’

Caballus – along with equal second-top lot Fightertown (Snitzel), which sold to Hong Kong-based Cordoba Bloodstock for $150,000 – were offered by their ownership group, headed by Coolmore.

“Thanks again to the team at Inglis Digital for a great result with both Caballus and Fightertown,’’ Coolmore’s John Kennedy said.

“The Inglis platform is a great pathway to sell proven horses to the ever-growing domestic and overseas markets.

“We were blown away with the enquiries we received on our two lots. Both horses have their best results ahead of them and we wish the new owners the very best of luck.’’

G1 winner Western Empire also realised $150,000 today.
Offered by Bob and Sandra Peters, the 6YO sold to Dean Harvey for a client.

“He’s a high class racehorses, I’ll get him back to my farm and work out a trainer then but there’s every chance he could head back to Western Australia,’’ Harvey said.

“He’s a horse with still so much upside, if we can get him back to the form where he won seven of eight starts including the WA Derby and Railway Stakes, then he’s got plenty of wins left in him.’’

Bob Peters agreed, saying: “I’ve got no doubt whoever ends up with him will get their $150,000 back in no time at all.

“It’s a good result to get him away for that price, I’m happy with that, he’s been a great horse for us and now it’s time for the new owners to have some fun with him.’’

Today’s October (Early) Sale grossed $2,139,550, with a clearance rate of 82%.

Entries are now open for the Inglis Digital October (Late) Sale, which will run from October 20-25.

Entries close at midnight next Wednesday, October 18.
To enter CLICK HERE.