Sale Overview

Record demand for yearlings led to increased average, median and clearance rate for the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne.

441 yearlings were sold in Session I at an average of $84,115, a 10% increase from 2013.

The clearance rate was also well up on 2013 to a strong 81%. The $70,000 median was an all-time record for the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

62 lots were sold for $150,000 or more in Session 1, a significant increase from 44 the year before.

"The last time this sale averaged in the $80,000s was when Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner and Reward For Effort went through the ring. It would certainly be great for this week’s buyers to be rewarded with such outstanding racetrack success as those sold that year. It’s is a credit to our vendors that have contributed to increased clearance rate, average and median,” said Inglis Melbourne Bloodstock Director Peter Heagney.

The ‘Blue Riband’ Session was again a huge hit with buyers seeking select yearlings bred and conformed to excel over middle and staying distances. 38 lots were sold at an average of $135,000 during the session.

A colt by Northern Meteor from multiple Group 2 winner Conquistar topped the sale when selling for $450,000. Offered by Phoenix Broodmare Farm the colt was purchased by Sun Kingdom Pty Ltd / Gai Waterhouse Racing / James Harron Bloodstock.

First season sire Equiano provided the top lot on an action packed second day of the 2014 Premier Sale when Swettenham Stud offered Lot 297 by Equiano from Group 1 placed mare Hidden Energy. Numerous bidders were active on the colt which was finally secured for Tan Sri Vincent Tan / Dato Robin Tan of Malaysia with a knockout bid of $420,000 – the highest price ever paid for a yearling by a first season sire in Victoria.

Dean Hawthorne finished Session I as the leading buyer, purchasing nine yearlings for $1,198,000. David Hayes’ Lindsay Park Racing was very active buying 10 yearlings for $1,150,000. Other trainers to secure five or more yearlings included Mick Price, Michael Moroney, Clinton McDonald, Robbie Griffiths, Simon Miller, Peter Moody, Tony McEvoy and Leon Macdonald.

Australian’s had plenty of competition from active international buyers from South Africa, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Japan at the sale.

Northern Meteor topped the sires list with five of his yearlings selling at an average of $198,000. Other leading sires by average were Fastnet Rock (7 at $185,000), Magnus (3 at $176,667), Exceed And Excel (7 at $172,143) and Lonhro (9 at 138,889).

Equiano led the first season sires with 15 of his yearlings selling at an amazing average of $105,200. Yearlings by Beneteau, Shocking, Star Witness, Hinchinbrook, Stryker, Lope de Vega and Reward For Effort also averaged more than $75,000.

Eliza Park International was the leading vendor at the sale having sold 32 yearlings for $2,887,500. Yallambee Stud averaged $118,684 for their 19 yearlings sold giving them an aggregate of $2,255,000.

Woodside Park Stud had a tremendous sale selling all six lots offered at an average of $202,500. Blue Gum Farm, Coolmore Stud and Gilgai Farm sold all 44 lots the trio offered between them, a remarkable selling effort.

The great results in Session I flowed on into Session II on the fourth and final day of Premier in 2014.

108 lots were sold for $3,337,000 during Session II. The average and median of $30,898 and $25,000 were up 11% and 14% up respectively on 2013. The clearance rate of 77% was also an improvement on 12 months earlier.

Canberra trainer Keith Dryden snapped up the top lot in Session II - Lot 690 from Phoenix Broodmare Farm’s draft for $110,000. The colt by Myboycharlie from Lady of Love is a brother to RL Inglis Classic winner Peggy Jean - which subsequently won the Gr.1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes in April 2014.

The other lot to make $110,000 in Session II was Lot 701, a colt by Von Costa de Hero from Luna Ballerina which was sold by Salamander Park to Randwick Bloodstock.

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