News

Northern Hemisphere-time Yearlings at Easter from 2012

10th Jan 2011

Inglis has announced the introduction of a session for yearlings bred to Northern Hemisphere time to be included at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale from 2012 onwards.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said with the growing globalisation of the thoroughbred industry, the time was right to offer both breeders and buyers an avenue for yearlings bred to northern hemisphere time to be sold in Australia.

“This will provide an opportunity for local breeders to mate to highly commercial sires with international appeal during their off season,” Webster said.

“The new concept also gives Australian breeders who have purchased mares in foal from the northern hemisphere to sell here in Australia.

“Instead of leaving the mares north of the equator to foal down, they can bring them back to Australia immediately and then offer those yearlings for sale here.”

Webster said this new session is certain to have appeal to the international buying bench, which now holds Australian horses in the highest regard, thanks to international feats from Australia’s ever-growing presence on the international stage.

“The growth of racing in Asia and the international appeal of Australian bloodlines provides genuine market opportunities for yearlings bred to Northern Hemisphere time,” Webster said.

Arrowfield Stud chairman John Messara welcomes the introduction of a northern time section at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

“It acknowledges the global recognition and success of Australian stallions, racehorses and breeders and offers an attractive sale option for quality Australian-owned mares with international pedigrees that have missed or foaled late during the southern time season,” Messara said.

Arrowfield’s champion sire Redoute’s Choice has served a small number of mares to northern time each year since 2007 and his first northern time-bred runner Elzaam won on debut in England last year before putting up an outstanding performance for second in the Royal Ascot Group 2 Coventry Stakes.

The two-time champion sire of Australia is available again this year to serve a limited number of mares to northern time.

Webster pointed out that yearlings offered in this section will still have to meet the normal selection criteria for Easter on both pedigree and conformation.

“If there is enough demand a session may also be added to the Melbourne Premier Sale in future years,” Webster said.