News

Sun Shines On The Opening Day Of The Melbourne Premier Sale

2nd Mar 2014

An $80,000 average price and an improved clearance rate has underlined a sun filled opening day of selling at the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale on Sunday 2 March.

"The average has jumped 10 per cent and the clearance rate is 5 per cent better than this time last year, plus five yearlings have sold for $200,000 or more. Naturally we are thrilled for our vendors at how the sale has started," said Peter Heagney, Inglis’ Melbourne Bloodstock Director.

CLICK HERE to view Inglis’ video wrap up of Day One of Melbourne Premier on Inglis TV

2013’s high price was equalled only four hours into this year’s sale when Phoenix Broodmare Farm sold Lot 122 a colt by Northern Meteor from multiple Group 2 winner Conquistar. The colt was purchased by Sun Kingdom Pty Ltd / Gai Waterhouse Racing / James Harron Bloodstock for $450,000.

Lot 53, the half-brother to Blue Diamond runner up Jabali, was the first lot to push through the $200,000 mark at Oaklands today. Kornong Stud Farm’s strapping colt by Denman from Balalaika was finally secured for Tan Sri Vincent Tan of Malaysia with a bid of $320,000 and will be trained by Mick Price at Caulfield.

Queensland trainer Dan Bougoure then went to $300,000 to buy Grange Thoroughbred’s colt by Fastnet Rock from two-time Group 3 winner Bhandara that was offered as Lot 70 half way through Sunday’s session.

A colt by first season sire Star Witness from well related Lonhro mare Crystal Whip was another yearling to light up the ring. Offered by Ascot Farm NZ as Lot 133 the striking chestnut had plenty of admirers, with Hoss Heinrich outbidding the Penang Turf Club to secure the colt for $400,000 late in the day.

Photos of today’s top lots can be viewed on Inglis’ Facebook page InglisBloodstock

Buyers from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Japan were all active today.

105 lots were sold at an average of $80,778 and median of $60,000 on Sunday. The clearance rate at the end of the day was 79%, up on the 74% figure recorded at the end of Day One in 2013.

Horses passed in during today’s session are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.

Yallambee Stud finished Day One as the leading vendor (3 or more sold) selling five yearlings for $480,000.

Blue Gum Farm, Kia-Ora Stud, Esker Lodge, Cornerstone Stud, Rosemont Stud and Yungburra are other vendors that have sold three or more yearlings at a 100% clearance rate so far.

Complete vendor, buyer and sire statistics for today’s session can be viewed at www.inglis.com.au

Day Two of the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale starts at 10:30am tomorrow, Monday 3 March. The four day sale continues on Tuesday and Wednesday with Inglis Sale Day Live and Online Bidding again available for buyers not able to make it to Oaklands.