10th Oct 2007
Over the past week directors of Inglis, Magic Millions and Aushorse have been engaged in discussions to improve the spread of sales dates for buyers and vendors in 2008. It is widely agreed by industry participants that an 11-day gap between the revised dates for Magic Millions and the Australian Easter Yearling Sale is not ideal. In summary, the only change coming from discussions so far is agreement by Inglis to move the Easter and Classic yearling sales back one additional week to provide buyers and vendors with a little more relief. The Australian Easter Yearling Sale will now commence on Sunday April 20, the day after the Golden Slipper. President of Aushorse John Messara has been consulted in relation to the new sales dates and said, “ the extra week will help.”
Inglis managing director Mark Webster said " We originally moved the Easter sale back to mid April to allow Magic Millions to sell in either February or June and provide an 8 week gap between our sales. The move was also in line with a delayed start to the Sydney Autumn carnival. As everyone knows, last week Magic Millions announced their plans to take our old Easter dates in March which was surprising noting buyers will also be in Sydney for the Autumn carnival. I have expressed my concern that in doing so they only provide an 11-day gap between our two sales. At the Aushorse meeting on Monday, both parties were asked to move their sale dates or change their sales format to widen the gap. Inglis have done this but to my knowledge Magic Millions have not agreed to any further changes or concessions at this stage. Inglis was also asked by Aushorse to consider moving the Classic sale back into February. At this stage I’m reluctant to do this due to the current EI situation. It’s still a consideration, but I will need to be convinced that all yearlings will be vaccinated in time and be allowed to cross state borders. I will also need to be convinced that Sydney trainers will be ready to buy in February.”
Antony Thompson from Widden Stud said, “ Inglis have been very co-operative in trying to find a better solution for next years sale schedule. They have consulted major breeders and have given ground when requested to help the industry.”
To assist with marketing and logistics, the format of the Australian Easter Yearling Sale will most likely be changed in 2008 to include two sessions. The first three days will be the Easter Yearling Select session; the second three days will be the Easter Yearling Classic session. All Easter Select and Classic yearlings will be catalogued together. This type of sale has worked well at Keeneland, Tattersalls and even on the Gold Coast so we are confident it will work for Inglis customers. It will also provide increased international buyer exposure for vendors of Classic yearlings. We are also aiming to lift the overall quality of Easter Classic yearlings from previous Classic sales and this is reflected in the quality of entries so far.
Inglis have also consulted the buying bench in setting new sale dates. In response to the new sale dates, John O'Shea said, " Sydney trainers and owners need as much time as possible to recover from the EI virus. I think the new dates for the Inglis Easter and Classic sales will work well for breeders and buyers as they will be held towards the end of the Autumn carnival around the Golden Slipper and Derby. For Classic, there's no better time to hold this sale than Derby week. I think the catalogue will probably be the strongest it’s ever been and it's being held in Sydney at a time when trainers will be more confident to spend. Some people may think February would be better for Classic, but as I said in the industry meetings in September it may be too risky at this stage."
Gai Waterhouse said, “ I’m supportive of the new sales dates being announced by Inglis. I think the Easter and Classic yearling sales are well placed around the Slipper and Derby and I will be attending both sales. I also think the Melbourne Premier sale in early March will be well supported by the industry. “
Anthony Cummings was also positive, saying “ trainers and owners in Sydney need more time to get back on their feet and I feel the new dates for Easter and Classic will work well. The revised dates for both of these sales will allow me plenty of time to inspect and buy yearlings whilst also keeping a close eye on my Autumn runners and spending time with my owners in Sydney.”
The revised schedule for major Inglis sales in 2008 is now as follows:
March 2, 3 & 4 - Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Oaklands Melbourne (unchanged)
April 20 to 28 - Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Newmarket Sydney
May 4 to 7 – Australian Easter Broodmare Sale, Newmarket Sydney
Dates for the Autumn Yearling Sale conducted at Oaklands and the Scone Yearling Sale will be advised in the coming weeks.
Noting there are less than three weeks between the Magic Millions sale and the Australian Easter Yearling Sale, vendors may prefer to split their drafts between the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and the new Australian Easter Yearling Sale. There is a convenient 8-week gap between the Melbourne and Easter sales, which should suit vendors and streamline yearling preparation.
Mark Webster said, “Melbourne is home to some of the country's biggest yearling buyers and the racing thus far has been unaffected. Those connections will be in a position to reinvest in the yearling market in March. The Victorian Government has also been extremely co-operative and are assisting us to lift the profile of the Melbourne Premier Sale, further develop the Victorian breeding industry and grow export markets. They know there is an opportunity to bring their breeding industry up to the high level attained by their racing industry. Inglis, Vic Government, Racing Victoria and TBV will conduct the first of the joint trade missions to Japan next month to jointly promote the Asian Mile Challenge and Melbourne Premier Sale in March 2008. A major promotional event for Japanese owners and trainers has been scheduled for November 16 in Tokyo.”
2007 saw South Africa and Hong Kong including the HKJC as strong participants in the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Sacred Kingdom, a $200,000 Premier graduate is a leading contender for the Hong Kong Sprint this year. Incumbent, Shrewd Rhythm and Caulfield Guineas favourite Weekend Hussler all emerged from the same sale.
Lee Freedman has added his support to the revised sales dates saying “ There is no doubt that yearling sales next year will be effected by the EI virus and a later start for the Sydney sales makes sense and yes I’ll be there. I’d also like to see the Melbourne Premier continue to grow. It’s important that I have the opportunity to take my Victorian based owners to the sale yards when buying yearlings and a stronger sale at home will help me achieve this. The Melbourne sale has been good to me producing champions such as Alinghi.”
Inglis will also be investing heavily in the marketing of all yearling sales. This will include greater emphasis on international inward buyer schemes and initiatives to assist buyers. We will also liaise with Aushorse over the coming months to see how they can compliment our international promotional activity. Vendors who would like to benefit from the revised Inglis sales schedule and Easter format are encouraged to make contact with Inglis Bloodstock staff at Newmarket (02) 9399 7999 or Oaklands (03) 9333 1422 to discuss the sale of their yearlings in 2008. Depending on the number and quality of additional entries, we will consider adding sale days in Melbourne and Sydney to assist breeders. Inspections are not yet complete and there is still time to modify your entries.
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