News

Easter Acclaimed as Best Ever

21st Apr 2008

Fuelled by a final day of selling the likes of which have never previously been seen in this part of the world, the three day Part One of the William Inglis & Son Australian Easter Yearling Sale concluded at Newmarket today.

Today’s session finished with an incredible average of $445,992, including a phenomenal 17 yearlings selling for $1million or more.

The final day fireworks propelled the overall sale average to a record $376,342, with the overall median rising to $250,000 – a $25% leap on last year.

Despite having 86 fewer lots catalogued this year, the sale gross of $143,010,000 fell only marginally short of last year’s figure.

In all, a record 28 yearlings sold for $1million or more, including four that topped the $2million mark.

Darley’s John Ferguson finished as the leading buyer, securing 20 lots for a total spend of $19,005,000, including seven yearlings for in excess of $1million.

These were highlighted by the sale topping $2.7million Redoute’s Choice-Salameh colt offered by Emirates Park, which was knocked down by auctioneer John O’Kelly from Tattersalls.

“It is now one of the strongest sales anywhere in the world,” Ferguson said.

“There’s great depth to the sale and that’s always the sign of a good sale.”

Bob Ingham matched Ferguson’s spending spree through most of the sale and finished with 23 yearlings for $17,875,000.

“The sale has exceeded all expectations given what has transpired over the past six months within the industry,” William Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“I’d like to thank the breeders who supported it with their best yearlings and the buyers who arrived from around the globe.

“It was particularly pleasing to see such a high clearance rate of 85% and we couldn’t have possibly wished for a better result this week.”

Tyreel Stud’s yearlings continue to be highly sought after at Easter and the Fleming family operation finished the sale as the leading vendor by average with 12 sold at $930,000.

Reavill Farm and Emirates Park also enjoyed stellar sales, with both vendors finishing with an average of better than $700,000.

Coolmore Stud topped the vendors by Gross, with 39 selling for $16.415million, while Arrowfield Stud sold 22 for $13.145million.

Redoute’s Choice contributed a gross of $38,795,000 to the sale, with 49 yearlings selling at an average of $791,735.

Encosta De Lago had 45 yearlings sold for $26,470,000 at an average of $588,222.

His Coolmore barnmate Fastnet Rock was the leading first season sire, with 30 selling at an average of $332,000.

Attention now turns to Thursday, where William Inglis will offer another 195 superbly-credentialled yearlings, where all of the leading sires will again be represented.

This sale will be followed by next week’s Classic Yearling Sale, which begins on Sunday April 27.