News

Winx's Half-Brother Tops Opening Day Of Inglis Easter

5th Apr 2016

Four lots sold for a million dollars or more on a picturesque opening day of the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.

Under stunning blue skies a plethora of trainers, owners, agents and syndicators from Australia and around the globe came together to bid on the region’s best bred and conformed yearlings.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum was the first of 80 individual buyers to get their name on the buyers’ sheet when outbidding Coolmore Stud to $480,000 on a filly by Fastnet Rock from Pane In The Glass that was sold by Newgate Farm.

By the end of the day’s proceedings 178 yearlings had been offered with 78% sold at an average of $291,975, marking the best start to an Easter Sale since the great record heights of 2008.

CLICK HERE to view the InglisTV Easter Day One Summary.

Local and international buyers fought hard through to the final lots of the day which saw colts by Snitzel, Redoute’s Choice, Fastnet Rock and Hinchinbrook break through the $1,000,000 mark.

Gai Waterhouse banded together a group of owners to purchase Winx’s half-brother by Snitzel that was sold as Lot 135 (pictured) by Segenhoe Stud Australia, as agent for John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds.

Involved in ownership of the colt is Emirates Park’s Hussain Lootah, who tasted Golden Slipper success with 2013 Easter Sale purchase Mossfun; Angelo Konstantatos & David Healey who have already experienced the value in a Gai-trained colt with Vancouver; and breeder John Camilleri who retained a share in the horse.

Gai Waterhouse and her agent Julian Blaxland stood with Hussain Lootah, Dr Shalabh Sahu and Bryan Carlson of Emirates Park under the Moreton Bay Fig tree and had to fight off plenty of competition from around the ring including underbidder Duncan Ramage. A final bid of $2,300,000 was required to secure the colt, which is also a full-brother to Gai’s Kindergarten Stakes winner El Divino.

“Hussain was on the phone to me after El Divino crossed the line in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes, and after much discussion Hussain made the executive decision that we must have this colt,” said Gai Waterhouse.

“He’s one of the nicest colts in the sale, from the strongest family. He was a lovely type, and Winx and the half-brother’s wins add a lot to the page. We hope he’s in the Golden Slipper next year,” Hussain Lootah said.

Gai Waterhouse was one of many domestic trainers to make their presence felt today alongside Hawkes Racing, Gerald Ryan, Bjorn Baker, Ciaron Maher, Anthony Cummings, Robbie Laing, Nick Olive, Tony McEvoy, Mick Price, David Hayes, Kris Lees, John Thompson, John Sargent, James Cummings and many more.

Angus Gold of Shadwell Stud Australasia was the most active of all buyers securing 11 yearlings for $5,410,00, including a colt by Redoute’s Choice from Top Cuban for $1,500,000 (Lot 113). The colt was offered by Arrowfield Stud and will head to Lindsay Park Racing for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig to train.

Gai Waterhouse will train the Fastnet Rock colt from Rose Of Cimmaron (Lot 42) that was sold by Newgate Farm for $1,200,000. Buying partnership Tom Magnier, Gai Waterhouse Racing, Mayfair Speculators and Julian Blaxland had to see off underbidder Spendthrift Farm to secure the colt.

Yarraman Park Stud’s resident stallion Hinchinbrook came of age in the sale ring with a colt by the sire of Caulfield Guineas winner Press Statement selling for $1,000,000. There were a number of international clients bidding on Lot 166 with Marie Yoshida and Paul O’Sullivan locking horns passing $500,000. O’Sullivan’s Wexford Stables landed the final blow for his owner Mr Yeung, securing the quality colt with the million dollar bid, the highest ever for a yearling by Hinchinbrook.

Complete vendor, buyer and sire statistics for today’s session can be viewed at inglis.com.au   Photos of the sale's Top Lots are available on the Inglis Facebook page, InglisBloodstock    Day Two of the auction starts at the earlier time of 10.00am tomorrow where Lots 196 to 390 will be offered.   The next two days of the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale will be broadcast on Sky Thoroughbred Central on Channel 521 and Inglis Sale Day Live, plus Online Bidding and Make-An-Offer will be available.   All yearlings offered at the sale are eligible for entry into the $5 million Inglis Race Series covering their 2YO, 3YO and 4YO racing seasons. For more information go to inglis.com.au/races

2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Statistics
(End Of Day One 2015 in Brackets)

Lots Catalogued: 195 (200)
Lots Sold: 138 (132)
Clearance Rate: 78% (73%)
Average Price: $291,975 ($291,667)
Median Price: $210,000 ($210,000)
Top Price: $2,300,000 ($1,600,000)
Gross: $40,292,500 ($38,500,000)