News

Makybe Diva Colt Stars At Easter Opener

5th Apr 2009

The much anticipated first foal from legendary mare Makybe Diva highlighted proceedings on Day 1 of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, with Melbourne trainer Danny O’Brien securing the Galileo colt for $1.5million.

Offered by Tony Santic’s Makybe, the colt generated huge interest, with a big crowd at Newmarket to see him sold.

An emotional Tony Santic described the colt as being “very special” and a horse close to his heart.

“The market is pretty difficult at the moment and if he didn't make that sort of money I was very happy to take him home because he's such a great type. But he made his money,” Santic said.

“This is one of my biggest thrills to see her first foal go for a lot of money and hopefully down the track he's able to win some great races and hopefully you never know, he might become a stallion. You've got to dream.”

O’Brien was thrilled to have secured the headline act.

“She was the best race mare probably to race ever in Australia,” O’Brien said.

“It is such a volatile market at the moment. No one knows where it is heading. All I know is that there may never be another colt out of Makybe Diva offered for sale and we now have it."

As expected, the impact of the global financial crisis was felt around the sales ground today, with the average of $226,978 falling from a Day 1 figure last year of $338,737.

“This has been the trend right through the sales season and buyers have secured value like they haven’t done for many years. Having said that, there are many other sales companies who would love to average $226,000, it’s still a fair result in the current climate,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“The absence of some significant players in the top end of the market saw a reduction in the number of seven figure yearlings and as has been the case with other sales this year.

“A significant number of private sales are being negotiated after the market re-adjustment today.

“With the Easter sale’s ongoing racetrack success the opportunity for buyers to secure a quality yearling over the next two days is as good as it has ever been. I’d like to remind buyers that 8 out of the last 11 Group 1 winning two year olds to be sold at auction in Australia have come from this sale. There are some great families to buy into.”

For vendors with three or more sold, Cressfield Stud topped the averages with five selling at $430,000, including the day’s second highest priced lot, the colt by Redoute’s Choice from dual Group 1 winner Miss Pennymoney, which was knocked down to Darley for $1million.

Anthony Cummings went to $900,000 to secure the Encosta De Lago half-brother to Private Steer and All Silent from the Semipalatinsk mare Lisheenowen.

Redoute’s Choice colts from Gypsy Dancer and VRC Oaks winner Hollow Bullet both made $850,000.

Due to a power outage, today’s session was cut short, with 91 yearlings selling for a gross of $20.6million.

Selling will continue from 11am tomorrow, commencing with Lot 152.

Lots passed in during today’s session are still for sale via the Inglis Make an Offer service.