News

Premier Sale ends with further strong demand

7th Mar 2023

A Pierro x Now Now filly – the last lot catalogued in Book 1 – joined a Toronado colt of Collingrove to share top-lot honours on the third and final day of the Premier Yearling Sale.

The flurry of late strong results brought an end to a big three days of selling at Oaklands, which saw the top of the market make a remarkable jump on last year’s extraordinary record sale.

The Toronado x Mojo Moon colt of Collingrove sold to Olly Koolman, who was acting on behalf of Hong Kong owner Philip Liu.

The horse will do his 3YO racing days in Australia with David Pfieffer before likely moving to Hong Kong to continue his career.

“He’s such a lovely horse,’’ Koolman said.

“I saw him on day one and it’s been a long few days waiting for him to come into the ring because he was the one I wanted to go home with. It was a bit of a sleepless night last night but we got the result.

“The colt indicates to me he’s going to be a good 1600m-1800m horses, he’ll take a bit of time but we’ll give it to him.’’

The colt was one of four offered by Collingrove in Book 1 of the sale, all of which sold.

Collingrove’s Dan Brash was thrilled with the outcome.

“The colt’s paraded super all week, he’s just a class colt,’’ Brash said.

“He had a lot of quality, a super mover, we’re absolutely delighted for a new client Greg Anderson to get the result today.’’

The other day three top lot was a Pierro x Now Now filly (pictured) of Blue Gum Farm, which sold to Robert Hickmott for $400,000.

The filly is a half sister to multiple Stakes winner Fiesta and was a pinhook for Trilogy Racing’s Jason and Mel Stenning and Sean and Cathy Dingwall, who will stay in the filly’s ownership.

“She’s a lovely filly. She looks a real staying type – even though Fiesta was a sharp mare - so she’ll be given all the time in the world to see what she can produce on the track,’’ Hickmott said.

“She’s got a lovely pedigree, great temperament, if you could see her walk, she’s a beautiful moving filly which you like to see in a staying filly.

“She’s got great residual value, I really loved her and it’s great to have a horse for Trilogy.’’

The late result saw Blue Gum reclaim the leading vendor title for Premier, selling 28 of their 29 lots offered for $4,620,000.

It is the fourth time in the last five years that Blue Gum has been leading vendor through Book 1 of the Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne.

“We were very busy, foot traffic was very good all week, we had up to 220 parades on our best horse,’’ Dingwall said.

“It’s been fabulous, it’s a huge thrill to be leading vendor.

“We didn’t expect it but as part of the brand we had to make sure we presented very well and got the job done. For Cathy and I it’s been fantastic that that’s been able to take place.’’

The conclusion of Book 1 saw the beginning of the Showcase Session, which resulted in more robust trade across the board.

The Showcase Session was topped by a Lonhro x Swift Chick colt of Supreme Thoroughbreds, which Kembla trainer Ben Smith purchased on behalf of Tory Lavalle.

Smith – who, in conjunction with Lavalle bought six lots in the Showcase Session - hopes to have the colt contesting 2YO races such as the Inglis Nursery and Inglis Millennium within the next 12 months.

“I was really impressed with him, we just ended up going back to him time and again, he’s got a lot of scope about him, great attitude, I love the way he walked,’’ Smith said.

“We’ll have him in and out of the stables over the next few months and target these early races and Inglis races.’’

Supreme’s Brent Grayling added: “He was a nice forward, athletic running colt.

“As soon as he came out for parades, people just fell in love with him.

“He certainly had his admirers and was well found, he was our third most popular horse all week.’’

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was pleased by the “healthy” trade through the Premier Sale.

“There were some exceptional results and what the final stats show us is the top of the market is as strong as it’s ever been, with more horses sell for $400,000 and above this year than there were at last year’s extraordinary record-breaking renewal of the sale,’’ Hutch said.

“We have had fantastic support from both vendors and buyers and we work hard to facilitate the very best market that we can.

“Evidently, buyers have been more conservative in their approach to the sale, but the clearance rate is going to exceed 80% and I think time will demonstrate this to have been a good sale.”

To enquire about any passed in lot from this year’s Premier Yearling Sale, contact Will Stott on 0408 126 952.

Buyers’ attention now moves to Inglis Digital, with the March (Early) Online Auction closing for bidding from midday tomorrow.

The catalogue of 315 lots is highlighted by a share in Proisir – one of the most progressive young stallions in the Southern Hemisphere – as well as the G1 winner Superstorm.

To view the catalogue, organise credit or participate in the auction CLICK HERE.

The focus then firmly centres on Riverside for the jewel in the crown of the Southern Hemisphere yearling sales season, the Easter Yearling Sale on April 3 and 4.

On-site inspections begin at Riverside from Tuesday March 28.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

2023 PREMIER YEARLING SALE STATISTICS - BOOK 1 (2022 figures in brackets)

Lots Sold: 431 (488)

Clearance Rate: 79% (90%)

Average Price: $135,671 ($158,094)

Median Price: $100,000 ($140,000)

Top Price: $1,100,000 ($950,000)

Gross: $58,474,000 ($77,150,000)

SHOWCASE SESSION

Lots Sold: 137 (159)

Clearance Rate: 75% (85%)

Average Price: $39,993 ($51,340)

Median Price: $35,000 ($40,000)

Top Price: $160,000 ($270,000)

Gross: $5,479,000 ($8,163,000)