News

Records Tumble as Yearling Sale Closes

19th Apr 2006

Records Tumble as the ‘Greatest Ever’
Southern Hemisphere Yearling Sale Draws to a Close

The record-breaking 2006 Australian Easter Yearling Sale concluded at Newmarket this evening posting across the board gains in all categories to become the most successful yearling sale ever held in Australia.

The $117,130,000 gross was a massive 29 per cent up on last year’s previous record - remarkable in view of the streamlined catalogue, while the average leapt a huge 40 per cent to $288,497.

A total of fourteen yearlings made in excess of $1,000,000 compared to eight at last year’s sale, while the three-days saw two landmark records set when a Redoute’s Choice colt brought a new Australian record $3million, while an Encosta De Lago filly became the highest priced female ever to sell at an Australasian yearling sale, fetching $2.6million.

In all, after three day’s trade 406 yearlings had found new homes for an excellent clearance rate of 90 per cent.

William Inglis & Son Managing Director Reg Inglis was over the moon:

“This has been absolutely amazing it is the greatest sale ever held in this part of the world, after the first day it was so successful we knew it would continue.”

Sire sensation Redoute’s Choice was undoubtedly the star of the show accounting for six of the 14 million dollar lots, with 35 youngsters selling for a breathtaking average of $710,857.

“Redoute’s Choice is an incredible stallion,” said Inglis. “He brought everyone to the sale and those that couldn’t buy one stayed on and bought others. The whole sale is a huge credit to our vendors.”

Yarraman Park Stud sold the three top-lots, which was an unbelievable achievement

“We’ve always been traders,” said Yarraman’s Arthur Mitchell. “We’ve been selling since 1970 and every dog has its day.

“We knew from inspections at the farm we had two good colts and this filly, there had been a lot of expectation about the filly - I thought she’d bring two-million before the sale, but it’s been a pretty nerve racking time.”

For the final session, 157 yearlings changed hands for a gross of $47,015,000 and an average of $299,459. The top-price lot was 451 an Encosta De Lago full-sister to champion racemare Alinghi bought by Coolmore’s Demi O’Byrne for $2.6million.