News

Premier Surges on Day Two

1st Mar 2011

Momentum continues to build at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, with today's average of almost $77,000 up 15% on yesterday's opener.

As post sales brought yesterday’s clearance rate close to the 80% mark, the sale gross was charging towards $20million this evening following a strong second session.

Today's session saw 129 yearlings sell for a gross of $9,907,000 at an average of $76,798. Overall, the sale now boasts sales totalling a tick over $19million at an average of $71,697 for a clearance rate of 78%.

Fastnet Rock led the way on day one and his progeny were again in high demand today, accounting for three of the seven lots to top the $200,000 mark, including the two highest priced lots.

G W Racing Bloodstock went to $260,000 to secure the bay colt (pictured here with his purchaser Manny Gelagotis) offered by Supreme Thoroughbreds from the Group 2 placed mare Snow Hero.

Later in the day, that figure was matched with Redgum Racing signing for Grange Thoroughbreds’ Fastnet Rock filly from the stakes winning Zabeel mare Thousand Veils.

Wood Nook Farm’s Encosta De Lago colt from Ylang Ylang rounded out the top three, when selling to Japan buyer Y Kubota for $230,000.

Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds were also beneficiaries of the rush for Fastnet Rock progeny, with their colt from Shelbourne Lass (dam of stakes winner Elusive Touch), making $220,000.

Another highlight today was the demand for progeny of young first season stallions, with Nadeem and Churchill Downs also among those to have progeny reach $200,000.

Darley stallion Nadeem has made a promising start to his stud career, with two stakes placed runners in addition to the winners Bengal Angel and Irish Times from limited runners. His colt from the French-bred Daylami mare Woman In White was knocked down to Japan’s Big Red Farm for $210,000 out of the Makybe draft.

Blue Gum Farm’s young Danehill stallion Churchill Downs opened his winning account when the very promising Anthony Cummings trained filly Emerald Downs won at Moonee Valley, before she ran a brave second to subsequent Blue Diamond placegetter Masthead in the $250,000 Inglis Premier.

Emerald Downs is from the Dr Grace mare Spirit Of Grace and Cummings went to $200,000 to secure her full-brother today. Cummings is a huge fan of Spirit Of Grace, having also trained her dual Group 1 winning Premier graduate Turffontein.

“As predicted today's selling session was considerably stronger than the first day with some excellent results for vendors," Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

"The better quality individuals continued to sell well and there was generally more strength in the overall market. We expect that to continue tomorrow as we again have some of our best credentialled yearlings in that session."

Horses passed in during the first two sessions are available for sale via the Make an Offer service.

Those who can’t attend the Oaklands sale complex can watch the action via the Sale Day Live telecast and use the Online Bidding service.

Inglis also has an Online Photo Gallery of the sale where photos of all the leading lots can be downloaded.

The sale continues from 11am tomorrow and concludes Thursday.