News

Easter Surges On

20th Apr 2008

The hot pace at the William Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale continued on Day 2 with the session average of $348,929 eclipsing yesterday’s mark.

The sale gross has now topped $82.6million, with 240 lots sold at an average price of $344,313.

The day was highlighted by the sale of eight individual million dollar yearlings, including a new sale topper of $2.2million for Yarraman Park’s Encosta De Lago-Oceanfast full-brother to Alinghi.

The colt was purchased by Anthony Cummings, who said he was very much in the mould of Alinghi and thought he was the colt of the sale.

“There’s pretty strong competition for a lot of horses here and therefore you have to pay the money if you want to get them,” Cummings said.

It was another great result for the Mitchell family’s Yarraman Park Stud at Easter, with Oceanfast’s four yearlings grossing more than $6.7million since 2005.

“We always thought he was a star and Anthony Cummings is a very good judge, so we’re very pleased,” Harry Mitchell said.

Earlier, Tyreel Stud’s Dean Fleming paid tribute to his late father Jim, following the sale of two Tyreel youngsters for $1.7million (Encosta De Lago-How Funny colt) and $1.2million (Redoute’s Choice-In The Past colt) in the space of six lots.

“I’d say Dad would be looking down from above and be pretty pleased,” Fleming said.

“It is an emotional time for us, because we are selling these horses basically on behalf of Dad. To get $1.7million and $1.2million like that is a great achievement and a nice reward for all the Tyreel team.”

Tyreel currently leads the Vendors by average list, with seven sold at an average of $800,714, while Coolmore is the leading vendor by gross with 24 sold for $8,445,000.

Ingham Bloodstock continues to set the pace among the leading buyers with 14 purchases for $9,405,000.

Redoute’s Choice and Encosta De Lago are locked in a fascinating duel for the leading sire tag and together their 53 yearlings to date have contributed $33million to the sale gross.

William Inglis & Son Managing Director Mark Webster said the sale continues to set the industry standard.

“There has been a real buoyant feel across the whole of the sale grounds this week and we had another very good turnout today,” Webster said.

“Today’s session built on the strong start to the sale and there continues to be good competition across all sectors of the market.”

“It was also pleasing to see yesterday’s clearance rate of just under 85% jump to over 90% after a number of those horses passed in on day 1 were sold privately.”

“That’s another positive sign of how well the sale has gone so far.”

Buyers should also be aware that yearlings for Easter Select Session II, to be sold from 3pm on Thursday, are now on the grounds and ready for inspection.

“There are some lovely yearlings to go through on Thursday and it will represent a great chance for buyers who have perhaps missed out so far to still go away with a very good young horse,” Webster said.

“In saying that there is still tomorrow for those that have been beaten and there are some very astute buyers striking often in the sub $200,000 market, which has produced a fleet of Group One winners in recent times.”

The Select Session II, comprising 195 lots, begins at 3pm on Thursday, May 24.

Day 3 starts from 11am tomorrow.

2008 Easter Photo Gallery