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Rosemont's Starspangledbanner colt tops Day 2 of Premier

6th Mar 2023

A Starspangledbanner colt from Rosemont Stud topped Day 2 of the Premier Yearling Sale on a day that saw the colts rally back at the top of the market.

After a pair of I Am Invincible fillies stole the headlines on the opening day, the Starspangledbanner x Kylix colt was joined by a Zoustar colt of Blue Gum Farm’s and a So You Think colt from Morning Rise Stud to perform best as buyers swarmed to the leading lads in the catalogue.

The day’s top lot was purchased by bloodstock agent Andrew Williams for Hong Kong clients for $560,000.

“We obviously set our sights on him from when we first walked in the complex last Wednesday,’’ Williams revealed.

“I pestered Mitho and the Rosemont crew and looked at him each day but he’s a horse we obviously really liked physically and the stallion is doing everything he possibly can in Hong Kong and for us, that’s one of the huge factors.

“He was the colt we warmed to most when we first saw him and we just knew he was the one we wanted to be taking home with us.’’

Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen was shocked at how much the colt (pictured) sold for.

“That was unbelievable,’’ Mithen said.

“I didn’t think he’d make as much as Andy paid, I’m glad he valued him at more than I did. I’m really pleased he got a headline here today.

“I thought he might have pushed into the four-hundred-thousands but once he got to half a million I was delighted and when they were still going tug-of-war at $560,000, I started to think where I’m going to go for dinner!’’

Today’s second-top lot was a Zoustar x Jestajingle colt of Blue Gum Farm, which sold to Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham for $500,000.

“Annabel came down on Thursday and inspected him on the complex and loved him physically,’’ Neasham’s sales and marketing manager Alix Turpin said.

“He was so professional, he paraded like a beauty and never put a foot out of line. I went back and saw him this morning and he was just as good.

“He’s obviously from a great farm, the Zoustar’s are flying and are in such high demand, it was a bit of a no-brainer for us really.

“We think he’ll be a 2YO but he’s also a horse that has plenty of scope to go on with it so we can’t wait to get him broken in and into the stables and see what he can do.’’

For Blue Gum Farm’s Phil Campbell it was a case of mixed emotions, as this is the last sale he is offering horses through the Blue Gum draft while he has an official association with the farm.

“It is an emotional time, my 44th Premier Yearling Sale and 42nd here at Oaklands and my last time in the [Blue Gum] shirt, I’ve been having a ball with the new owners with the draft this year but it’s definitely emotional,’’ Campbell said.

“We’ve been lucky enough to sell a lot of good horses for a lot of money over the years and many have gone on to win bloody good races but I’ve never sold a horse like this.

“As far as a physical being, a horse with the right mental attitude, I honestly think he’s the best. I’m delighted Annabel has bought him, I’m rapt she had the confidence in the colt that I did.

“He was very well found from day one, even from the parades on the farm, he’s just a magnificent looking animal and he’s got all the ingredients to be successful.’’

The day’s third-top lot was a So You Think x Danalicious colt of Morning Rise Stud which sold to Belmont Bloodstock - on behalf of Bob and Sandra Peters - for $460,000.

It continued a perfect sale for Morning Rise, who has now sold all seven of their offerings, with two to come tomorrow including a magnificent Zoustar x Mumbai Rock colt.

“It’s been a fabulous sale, we’ve sold all of ours really well and let’s hope it can continue into Day 3, which I think it will,’’ Morning Rise’s Robert McClure said.

“This So You Think colt, we knew he was a very nice colt, he’s a beautiful walker, he’s by So You Think and looks a whole lot like his father and it’s a very good family with a long history. And yes I was surprised with the $460,000, pleasantly surprised, I’m very happy.

“We didn’t have a draft in Sydney or the Gold Coast, we do like to support Melbourne, it’s our home draft, our home sale and we like to get behind it.’’

Bob Peters purchased the horse on the phone to his 21-year-old grandson Liam, who was at Oaklands and had done the inspections on the colt.

“I really liked this horse during inspections and the dam sire being Zabeel is a breed we’re very familiar with, so we are very happy to pick this horse up,’’ Liam Peters said.

“It was all myself. Grandpa gives me something to look at and I basically (try to) pick the good ones.

“The bug’s caught me definitely…it’s the only industry I want to be involved in. Hopefully I can follow suit maybe, somewhere in the bloodstock area.’’

Day 2 ended with an average of $139,475 and median of $100,000.

Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price was very pleased with some of the action at the top of the market today.

“There were some fabulous results, the Starspangledbanner for $560,000, Morning Rise had a great day as did a number of other vendors, there’s so many buyers on the buyer sheet but also many that have missed out and will be back again tomorrow to try again,’’ Price said.

“There’s no doubt that the market has been selective, but for those horses who meet the criteria of buyers and vet well, the results have been excellent..

“Tomorrow’s final day has some of the best horses in the catalogue to round out book 1 before we get into the Showcase Session, which will present plenty of great opportunities for buyers again.’’

Lots 541-816 have been catalogued for Day 3 of the sale, which begins at 10am tomorrow at Oaklands.

The first 75 lots conclude the Main Book before the Showcase Session begins at lot 616.

To view the catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Day 3 action will again be broadcast live on the Inglis website and Facebook page via our Sale Day Live coverage, hosted by Jason Richardson and Jemma Cutting.

To enquire on a passed in lot from the opening two days of the sale, contact Will Stott on 0408 126 952.

PREMIER SALE STATISTICS END OF DAY 2 (2022 stats in brackets)

Sold: 373 (411)

Clearance Rate: 77% (85%)

Average Price: $139,475 ($163,948)

Median Price: $100,000 ($145,000)

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

Gross: $52,024,000 ($67,382,500)