The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Summer Book continued its strong performance during its second of three sessions in Sydney yesterday. While the average and median dipped slightly from opening day, significant gains were posted nonetheless, with the average now standing at A$44,356, up 27.7% from last year, and the median at A$35,000, up 34.6%. Despite 84 fewer horses having passed through the ring compared to this time last year, the gross has already surpassed last year's mark, and currently stands at A$13,706,000. The buyback rate is down almost 1 1/2 points to 14.1%, and 20 yearlings by 14 different sires have sold for A$100,000 or more, compared to 15 this time last year.
“The diversity of vendors and sires all recording strong results is very pleasing, as is the size and depth of the buying bench who are obviously pleased with the product presented to them here in Sydney,” said Inglis manager director Mark Webster.
Last year's leading first-season sire I Am Invincible recently saw his 2015 fee doubled to A$55,000, and the Yarraman Park resident proved his worth as far as the sales ring is concerned yesterday, siring two of the top five of the session. That pair was headed by lot 329, who led the day's trade at A$300,000. Consigned by Yarraman Park, the bay is closely related to the stakes-winning Conquering Queen (Aus) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a half-sister to his dam. The Sept. 12 foal was hammered down to trainer Gai Waterhouse on behalf of Greg and Donna Kolivos, who campaigned 2-year-old champion and juvenile Triple Crown winner Pierro (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) with Waterhouse.
Earlier in the session, Lindsay Park Racing and Matchem Racing went to A$150,000 for another I Am Invincible colt from Yarraman Park, lot 221. The dark bay is the ninth foal out of Magdalena (Aus) (Snaadee), who has produced three stakes-placed winners, including a full-sister to this colt, Tetsuko (Aus), who was third in the G2 Sweet Embrace S.
This year's current leading first-season sire in Australia is Arrowfield's Beneteau (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), who died last January shortly after covering his second book. He was represented by yesterday's second-top lot, a filly from Arrowfield catalogued as lot 282. She is out of the winning Hussonet mare North Sea (Aus), and her third dam, Oceana (Northern Dancer), is a full-sister to Storm Bird and Northernette. The bay was picked up by trainer Paul Perry for A$170,000. Beneteau also sired the A$220,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2 topper last month.
Describing the appeal of the Beneteaus, Perry said, “Every time you see one they always show up. It's a shame for Arrowfield he's not here anymore. She was just a lovely walker and looked a 2-year-old–lovely way about her and looked a runner.”
Shuttler Lope De Vega threw his name among the exciting young sires in hot demand yesterday when a colt from his second Australian crop brought A$170,000 from Michael Otto Bloodstock. Lot 296 is from the extended family of GI Strub S. winner Siberian Summer (Siberian Express) and Magnificent Style (Silver Hawk), the dam of three Group 1 winners including exciting British sire Nathaniel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Lope De Vega was last year's leading first-season sire in Europe, and he has thus far sired one winner from his first Australian crop.
Arrowfield's Snitzel (Aus), second to his sire Redoute's Choice on last year's Australian general sire table, was the fourth-leading sire by average at the Gold Coast sale; his average stood at A$243,488 with 43 sold, more than double any other sire in the top five with runners. Snitzel was once again in demand yesterday, with a pair of youngsters fetching A$125,000. The first through the ring was lot 201, a filly from Fairview Park out of Life of the Party (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) whose third dam produced champion 2-year-old filly Victory Vein (Aus) (Mr Henrysee). The bay was picked up by Blueblood Thoroughbreds. Later in the session, Triple Crown Syndications shelled out that amount for lot 307, a Snitzel colt from Arrowfield who is out of a half-sister to a trio of stakes winners.
Another young Arrowfield stallion, the first-crop yearling sire Smart Missile (Aus), has also been popular at the sales this season, and he put his name among the six-figure lots with lot 228, a filly who is the first foal out of the five-time winner Mambo Flyer (Aus) (King Cugat). Her third dam is the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. winner Dinky Flyer (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}). She was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell for A$110,000. Also bringing that amount was lot 294, a Dane Shadow (Aus) colt scooped by Australian Bloodstock.
CLICK HERE for an Inglis video wrap of yesterday's session.
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