News

Swettenham Dispersal Headlines Record Session Trade Of Easter Broodmares

3rd May 2008

The William Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale got off to a flying start at Newmarket today, with turnover topping $32.7million.

Overall, 206 mares were sold at a record average of $159,047 with a clearance rate of better than 83%.

Topping Day 1 was the stakes winner Personify (Galileo-Procrastinate), who was knocked down to Kieran Moore for $2million and one of four mares to reach seven figures during the session.

This represented an outstanding return for owner Paul Makin, who paid $1,025,000 for Personify last year before putting her in foal to Redoute’s Choice.

This was the second time Personify had graced the Newmarket sales ring, as she was sold as a yearling for $650,000 at the 2005 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

G1 AJC Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice (Redoute’s Choice-Christchurch), believed to be in foal to Encosta De Lago, was knocked down to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds for $1.4million.

Another highlight of the opening session was the Swettenham Stud Unreserved Dispersal Sale, where 52 mares sold for a total of $11,232,500 at an average of $216,000.

These included $1.5million for the G3 winner Living Spirit (Hennessy-Livelihood) in foal to Nadeem and $1,375,000 for the regally related G1 SA Oaks winner Larrocha ( Danehill-Kensington Gardens), in foal to Encosta De Lago.

The pair were knocked down to Darley and Tom Magnier respectively.

“We couldn’t have been happier,” Swettenham’s Adam Sangster said of the overall result.

“The great thing is that we were supported by the people who have supported us over the years and it is a gratifying result to see them going to such great homes.

“This is something which I think Dad would have been proud of – certainly the family is very proud.

“It’s a little bitter-sweet, but this is a re-birth for us at Swettenham Victoria as we concentrate on the stallions from now on.”

William Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said he was thrilled with today’s results.

“ We've had four mares break the one million dollar mark and achieved a new record broodmare average of $159,000 with a strong clearance of 83.1%.

“We've worked hard to secure high quality broodmares for this sale and vendors have been rewarded.

“I'm particularly grateful to the Sangster family and Paul Makin for giving Inglis the opportunity to sell their bluebloods on their behalf."

Supplementary entry Perfect Drop (Quest For Fame-Dane Vintage) fetched $720,000 today and her G1 AJC Oaks conqueror from last year, Rena’s Lady (Arena-Boisterous Lady) will be offered at tomorrow’s session after Lot 500.

The sale continues from 10.30am tomorrow.