News

Elite Line Up For The Premier

25th Feb 2007

The Inglis Premier Yearling Sale has consistently proven to be the ideal launching pad for First Season Sires.

Encosta de Lago’s first stakeswinner Dragila, was a graduate from the Oaklands ring, while Testa Rossa’s first two black typers, Rossa Glory and Jiang, also made their first public appearance at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

This year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale (4-6 March) will again highlight the elite of Australia’s stallion potential with 19 freshmen showcasing 117 of their initial progeny (18.3% of the overall catalogue).

Look at the promise among this year’s offerings. Prominent, in terms of quality and quantity, is Darley stallion Reset, the undefeated Group One winning son of Zabeel (NZ), has 22 Premier youngsters while his stablemate, Dubai Destination (USA), who joined Reset in Victoria last year, has 13 on show. Conquering Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) at two, Dubai Destination (IRE) went to capture Group One glory at Royal Ascot.

Victorian stalwarts, Swettenham Stud and Blue Gum Farm consistently make their presence felt at Victoria’s No. 1 sale and will naturally be pinning a lot of their hopes and dreams on Champion 2YO Hold That Tiger (USA) and undefeated 2YO Statue of Liberty (USA). Hold That Tiger (Swettenham) and Statute of Liberty (Blue Gum), both sons of Storm Cat (USA), have a dozen each to consider in early March.

It’s worth remembering that Blue Gum Farm and Swettenham Stud nurtured the careers of Encosta de Lago and Danehill Dancer (IRE) respectively, both of which are now powerhouses in the Hunter Valley.

Not surprisingly, sons of Fairy King (USA) including Encosta de Lago, are very popular south of the Murray and Independent Stallions’ flashy bay, Beckett (IRE), has already established a name for producing outstanding types with an even half dozen making a Premier debut. The most expensive yearling in the world in 1999, Beckett (IRE) would eventually taste Group One glory at two years.

Meanwhile, other Victorian-based stallions presenting their bona fides to the buying bench include Bombora Downs’ Lago Delight (5), Swettenham’s Danehill (USA) stakeswinner Court of Jewels (NZ) (3), Ealing Park’s dual Group One winner Estambul (ARG) (1) and Newlands Stud’s Century City (IRE) (1).

It’s worth noting that a Lago Delight was sold at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale earlier this month for $130,000. Not bad off a $6,600 service fee.

Naturally, interstate stallions will again make their presence felt in Melbourne, given this sale’s rock solid reputation for producing quality individuals that cater to every taste.

And there is certainly something tasty about the 13 yearlings by Arrowfield’s gifted performer, Falbrav (IRE), winner of eight Group Ones in five different countries and another highly credentialed son of Fairy King (USA).

Falbrav (IRE), as far as numbers, leads the way for the interstaters, but there is also plenty of backup in the shape of Coolmore duo Hawk Wing (USA) (8) and Catcher In The Rye (IRE) (1), while Darley’s Hunter Valley operation chips in with contributions from three more of its vast roster. The highly exciting son of Danehill (USA) in Exceed And Excel (5), Champion international performer Grandera (IRE) (4) and Untouchable (1). Untouchable certainly lived up to his name for many buyers at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale with six of his yearlings realising $100,000 or more. Including the stallions top lot which sold for $240,000.

Widden’s Champion Miler Lucky Owners (NZ) (4) and the Australian race fans’ No. 1, Lonhro (4) from Woodlands Stud add to the strong NSW presence, while South Australia’s Citizen Kane (ARG) (1) and Western Australia’s Helenus (1) truly give the Premier a national flavour.

Not surprisingly, the memory of a legend remains vivid, with no less than five of the 19 First Season Sires being sons of Danehill (USA), while 14 – close enough to 3 in 4 – are direct descendants of Northern Dancer (USA).