Super-sire Fastnet Rock is in the box seat to make it three-straight years with the top selling lot at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale after a colt out of the Group 2 winning Stravinsky mare, Bird Of Fire, was sold to Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock/ McKeever Bloodstock from the draft of Esker Lodge.
That fantastic result for Coolmore’s leading stallion followed his earlier success in the inaugural ‘Blue Riband Session’ in which Hall Of Fame trainer David Hayes purchased two of his progeny for over $300,000 including a colt out of VRC Oaks winning mare Arborea ($340,000) and a filly from Sarah Vee ($300,000).
In total, local, interstate and overseas buyers spent $13.2 million on 152 lots during the second day of the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale including an encouraging start to the ‘Blue Riband’ Session.
“The Blue Riband session was a huge success, recording a clearance rate of 85% and an average price of $116,564,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
“It was great to see so much competition on yearlings bred to excel over middle and staying distances, with buyers from Victoria, New South Wales, South Africa and Singapore purchasing from this new concept.
“Athletic yearlings by both proven and young sires have been extremely popular and we hope that all buyers are able to experience the outstanding racetrack results that horses from Melbourne are well renowned for ,” Webster said.
The overall average price for the sale has risen to $80,888 which is a 5 percent increase on the corresponding figure at the end of Day Two last year. 75% of all lots offered have been sold.
Other highlights on day two included Lot 201 a colt by New Approach from Expensively that sold for $310,000 to secure Supreme Thoroughbreds’ while Spicer Thoroughbreds paid $300,000 for Lot 165, Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm’s filly by Snitzel from Acceleration.
That purchase continued a remarkable run for Spicer Thoroughbreds managing owner Brad Spicer who yesterday secured a striking Commands x Royal Lineup colt from the Yallambee Stud draft for $190,000.
Spicer, who famously purchased dual-hemisphere champion Starspangledbanner from the 2007 Melbourne Premier Sale for $120,000 said the response to his purchases this year had been phenomenal.
“These horses are already filling up quickly which is no surprise considering how good of a type they both are,” Spicer said.
“It’s been a great sale for us so far and I can’t wait to get them both on the racetrack.”
Photos of today’s top lots can be viewed on Inglis’ Facebook page Inglis Bloodstock
David Hayes heads the buyers list at the sale having signed for 6 yearlings for $1,070,000.
Other buyers to have purchased 5 or more yearlings over the past two days include Triple Crown Syndications, Ricky Yiu, Form Bloodstock, Mick Price, Heritage Bloodstock and McDonald Racing.
Victorian trainers have had plenty of competition from interstate and overseas throughout the sale with 28 yearlings purchased by buyers from South Africa. Hong Kong (9 lots), New Zealand (4), Singapore (3), Japan (1) and every state and territory in Australia also feature in the buyers list.
Three Bridges head the vendors by aggregate having sold 14 yearlings for $1,408,000. Eliza Park, Supreme Thoroughbreds and Swettenham Stud have each also sold more than $1 million worth of yearlings at Oaklands over the last two days.
Complete vendor, buyer and sire statistics for today’s session can be viewed at www.inglis.com.au
Horses passed in are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.
Day Three of the 2013 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale starts at the earlier time of 10:30am on Tuesday, with Inglis TV Live and Online Bidding again available for those not able to make it to Oaklands.
Sale Statistics
(2012 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 354 (410)
Gross: $19,250,662 ($21,400,000)
Average Price: $80,885 ($76,889)
Median Price: $65,000 ($65,000)
Top Price: $450,000 ($500,000)
Lots Sold: 238 (278)
Lots Withdrawn: 35 (50)
Lots Passed In: 81 (82)
Sold %: 75 (77)
Source : Racing Victoria
