News

Quality Race Fillies in Demand at Newmarket

14th Apr 2009

The sale of Group 1 winner Devil Moon and the aptly-named Belong To Many, along with a solid clearance rate highlighted the opening session of the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale at Newmarket today.

In all, 147 lots sold today for a gross of $7.9million at an average of $53,779 with a clearance rate of 76%.

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said that in the current climate, today’s results were outstanding.

“When compared with the major broodmare sales in the northern hemisphere last year, which all came in around the 63% to 67% mark, to achieve 76% clearance during the opening session is a fantastic result,” Webster said.

“And as we saw last week with the opening session of the yearling sale which began quite slowly, that figure is only likely to rise as the week goes on, with vendors and buyers getting a better feel for the market and more passed in horses are sold privately.

“We achieved some great results today, particularly for race fillies and mares, which augurs well for the upcoming Australian Weanling and Breeding Stock Sale, which is perfectly placed for breeders looking to pick up quality stock ahead of the breeding season,” Webster said.

The Race Fillies and Mares section achieved an outstanding clearance rate of 90% at an average of $70,000.

“Today’s results should give owners confidence that they can put quality horses on the market knowing the demand is still there for those types of horses,” Webster said.

Today’s figures compare favourably to what has unfolded in the Northern Hemisphere over the past six months.

“It’s difficult to compare Broodmare sales from year to year, especially owing to the fact we had the Swettenham Stud Dispersal at this sale last year, but a gross of almost $8million and average of $54,000 with that clearance rate is about as good as we could expect right now and is on par with results achieved in 2006,” Webster said.

Today’s average is down 35% on the overall 2008 sale average of $85,000 (ex Swettenham Stud dispersal).

Group 1 Turnbull Stakes winner Devil Moon topped the opening session, with Patinack Farm going to $775,000 to secure the million dollar earning daughter of King Cugat.

A winner of eight races, Devil Moon will be covered by one of Patinack Farm’s stallions this spring, with a final decision yet to be made.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” Patinack Farm’s Rick Connolly said. “She was the highlight mare in the sale and she’s an outcross to all the Patinack stallions.

Later, a team of about 70 owners were on hand to see the triple stakes winner Belong To Many sold to Vin Cox Bloodstock for $525,000.

Cox said he purchased the mare on behalf of an existing client and expected to pay around that mark.

“She will race on in the short term in the hope of getting that elusive Group 1. We will then just see how she is going and a decision will be made later on as to whether she retires this year or races on (next season),” Cox said.

Trainer Barbara Joseph said it was an emotional day watching the popular mare go to a new owner.

“Shelley Hancox and Rod Peacock (Syndicate Managers) are over the moon with that price. For a $20,000 yearling, $525,000 is great money,” Joseph said.

“There were about 70 owners here to see her sold and it’s been quite emotional. She’s a great little mare and she still has 12 months racing in her if they look after her.”

The Broodmare Sale continues from 10.30am tomorrow morning and again on Thursday, when multiple Group 1 winning filly Samantha Miss will be sold. Sale coverage can be found on Inglis Sale Day Live via the Inglis website.

All horses passed in during today’s session are available via the Inglis Make an Offer service.

Session Breakdown

Sold: 147 (76%)

Passed In: 46

Gross: $7,905,500

Average: $53,779

Median: $22,000

Highest Lot: (Lot 89) 775,000