News

Demand "as Strong as Ever" as Melbourne Thoroughbred Concludes

13th Mar 2009

The Melbourne March Thoroughbred Sale came to a conclusion today, with Inglis Director Peter Heagney thrilled with the level of competition, as horses cleared at a rate of 95% today.

The level of sales today brought the two-day sale clearance up to 91%, with 329 horses changing hands over the two days for a gross of $1,369,600.

Heagney said the number of buyers competing for racing propositions today was outstanding, showing no signs of the current global financial doom.

“It was incredibly strong for the quality of horses we had in the sale. The demand for racing stock was as strong as it has ever been,” Heagney said.

“This result should be comforting to a lot of people in the industry as it underlines that people are still very keen to get their hands on a racehorse and chase the excellent prizemoney available in Australia.”

The top price today and for the sale came for Lot 401, the Rubiton filly Roobles, who sold for $50,000. The three-year-old filly is from the stakes placed Bletchingly mare Blithe Spirit from the famous “Kingston” family that includes the likes of Horse of the Year Rose Of Kingston, her Melbourne Cup winning son Kingston Rule and the VRC Derby winner Portland Player.

Talented gelding Spirited Halo was also among today’s top sellers, with the four-year-old son of Bel Esprit knocked down for $41,000.

Horses passed in at this week’s sale can be purchased through the Make an Offer service. Horses passed in at last week's Sydney Autumn Thoroughbred Sale and this month's Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale are also available for sale via this service.

The next sale at Oaklands is the Great Southern Sale, to be held over four days from May 18-21. Nominations for this sale, which include both weanling and bloodstock sections, close on March 27. Entries for the Great Southern Sale can be downloaded using the following links: WEANLINGS and BLOODSTOCK

The next Inglis Sale is the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, to be held at Newmarket, Sydney, from April 5-7.

Sale Results

Catalogued: 428

Sold: 329 (91%)

Passed In: 32

Withdrawn: 67

Gross Amount: 41,369,600

Highest Lot: (Lot 401) $50,000

Average: $4,163

Median: $2200