News

Pierro Colt Tops Victoria’s Best Ever Weanling Sale

20th Jun 2016

A colt from the second crop of champion galloper Pierro has topped the greatest ever offering of weanlings in Victoria.

314 weanlings have been sold across the first two days of the 2016 Inglis Great Southern Sale, headed by Erinvale Thoroughbred’s colt by Pierro from Call Me Pretty (Lot 792) that sold for $210,000 to the partnership of Ascot Farm, New Zealand and Ampulla Lodge, Victoria.

"He was the one I wanted. We’ve had success buying off John [Kenneally] in the past, turning a Flying Spur colt from $240,000 into $850,000, and both us and Ampulla are big fans of Pierro," said Bruce Harvey of Ascot Farm.

“We both bid on Pierro himself as a weanling, we’ve tried hard on his progeny at the weanling sales this year and I’m rapt to secure this colt. Last year we identified opportunities at the top end of the market and our aim has been to buy mature colts high on pedigree ratings, and this colt completely fitted the brief,” Bruce said.

The colt is a half-brother stakes winners Born To Rock and Prettyhappyaboutit, and Bruce advised that “he’ll stay in Victoria at Ampulla Lodge and be targeted toward next year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.”

13 weanlings have sold for over $100,000 at this year’s Great Southern Sale, a considerable jump from four lots last year.

The average price of the 222 weanlings sold in the Platinum Session has finished at $31,140, up 37% on last year’s record figure of $23,392.

“There is no doubt that this is the best collection of weanlings ever offered for sale in Victoria, ” said Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian.

"We have been privileged to catalogue a fantastic draft of youngsters and this led to unprecedented interest from buyers. The old line of 'if you build it, they will come' was evident from inspections early in the week.

"This Great Southern Weanling Sale was built on quality individuals with good pedigrees being professionally presented by our Vendors. The buyers came and were obviously pleased with the product on offer," said Vivian, who added that this sale "continues to develop".

Demand for weanlings by first season sires continued into Day Two with a colt by Australian Cup and Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente from Fiamarrosa (Lot 252) selling for $160,000 to Prima Park / Waterford Bloodstock.

The final lot of the Platinum Session also created plenty of buzz in the sale ring with Two Bays Farm selling the colt by Epaulette from Loading Zone (Lot 794) for $140,000 to Paul Willetts.

Other first season sires to have progeny sell for $80,000 or more at the sale included Dundeel ($130,000 ex Whitesails), Akeed Mofeed ($120,000 ex Video Star) and Unencumbered ($87,500 ex Vintage Quality).

“Fantastic sale, the strongest weanling sale of the year in our opinion. Nice weanlings are nice yearlings and no doubt some shrewd purchases were made and certainly some pin hooks will make a killing come yearling sales time,” said Toby Liston of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.

Three Bridge’s have been delighted by the response to their exciting young stallion Unencumbered saying “it’s always great when the market believes in your stallion, so it's fair to say that we went to bed last night very pleased with the response from all buyers from all corners of Australia. He is leaving correct, sound and tough looking horses, just like Unencumbered himself so there are some exciting times ahead.”

Photos of the sale's Top Weanlings are available on the Inglis Facebook page, InglisBloodstock

Complete vendor, buyer and sire statistics for Days One and Two of the Great Southern Sale can be viewed online at inglis.com.au

Inglis' Make-An-Offer Service is available for weanlings which passed-in at the sale. Inglis Sale Day Live and Online Bidding will also be available for the remaining two days of the Great Southern Sale.

Day Three starts at 10:00am tomorrow, with a big day of Broodmares, Supplementary Broodmares, Stallions and Stallion Shares.

The sale finishes on Wednesday 22 June with Yearlings, Unbroken Stock and Racehorses.

2016 Inglis Great Southern Sale (Platinum Weanling) statistics (2015 Platinum and Select Session in brackets)
Catalogued: 297 (274)
Offered: 266 (248)
Sold: 222 (206)
Clearance: 83% (83%)
Gross: $7,135,000 ($4,818,750)
Average: $31,140 ($23,392)
Median: $18,000 ($10,000)
Top Price: $210,000 ($300,000)