News

Records Roll During Classic Session

10th Feb 2007

Cream again rose to the surface during the second session of the 2007 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale at Newmarket today. 17 yearlings were sold for six figure sums at an average of $42,220, realising a Sunday gross of $7,304,000 for 173 lots sold and a decidedly healthy clearance of 80%.

Indeed, the 23 yearlings sold for $100k or over in the first two sessions is well in excess of last year’s overall figure of 14, with one full session remaining.

The Inglis Classic Sale has a reputation for producing forward, athletic types. Buyers were quick to snap up the choice lots on offer, headed by a sale record of $240,000 for Lot 212, an outstanding Untouchable colt from Vote For Venus.
The previous record was $220,000, set by God’s Own who was sold at the 2004 Inglis Classic Sale.

Consigned by Classic ‘regular’ Boomerang Berrima on behalf of Darryl Austin’s South Coast Thoroughbreds, the sale topping colt was finally knocked down to the Victorian agent, Peter Ford, who was taking his ‘riding’ instructions over the phone from Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths.

“One way or another, this colt was coming home,” an elated Robbie Griffiths exclaimed. “I think he’s the ideal type for next year’s Classic race, in fact, he’s the best colt in the sale: no question about it.

“I bought him on spec too ... I’m that confident. Everyone said I had rocks in my head when I bought a General Nediym colt for $135,000 at the 2002 Melbourne Premier on spec, particularly my bank manager, but he’d settled down when the colt, Ra Sun, won the Maribyrnong Plate-G2 in the spring.”

Naturally, vendor Darryl Austin was equally chuffed with the verdict, Darryl has now sold two yearlings at Inglis sales for $240,000 each, including a Singspiel colt at the 2004 Easter Yearling Sale.

Newcastle trainer, Paul Perry, underbidder on the $240,000 Untouchable, was in no mood to be outdone when Lot 279, a Street Cry filly from Bit Tiddly entered the parade ring. Paul was intent on the filly floating to Broadmeadows and was prepared to pay $210,000 for the privilege.
“She was certainly a lovely filly, really well put together and great balance. Good family too,” Paul said.

Danehill stallion, Untouchable, has made his presence felt throughout the sale and leading trainer Tim Martin chimed in with a winning bid of $175,000 to secure Lot 275, an Untouchable colt from Bental Sharen.

“They speak for themselves,” Tim emphasises. “The Untouchables are just outstanding types as the sale topper indicates. Apart from this colt (Lot 275) I also picked up a lovely Untouchable filly earlier in the afternoon (Lot 244 out of Alohi) for $140,000.”

Not surprisingly, William Inglis & Son Ltd’s acting Managing Director, Jamie Inglis, was extremely pleased with the day’s action: “Our average for the first two sessions is $42,464 with an overall aggregate of $10,149,000 for 239 lots sold. Most importantly though, vendors have been rewarded for presenting quality yearlings at this sale, while an international buying bench continue to find this the ideal venue.”

The third and final session of the sale commences at 11am tomorrow.

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