The Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale wrapped up its best renewal in six years with the sale topper on its final day Wednesday, when the blue-blooded filly Comaneci (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) from the Segenhoe Stud consignment was hammered down to James Harron Bloodstock for A$780,000. The 4-year-old (lot 700), carrying her first foal by Fastnet Rock (Aus), is out of the G1 Australian Oaks winner Circles Of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}), and therefore a half-sister to Group 1 winners and sires Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill) and Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus), as well as the dam of current globe-trotting Group 1 winner Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
The overall turnover for the sale was in excess of A$34.5 million, the highest in six years, with an overall clearance rate of 87%. The select broodmare portion of the sale saw 481 sold for A$29,445,150, compared to 389 sold for A$17,813 last year, when there were 50 fewer catalogued. The buyback rate dropped to 13.6% from 24.5%; the average rose 33.7% to A$61,217, and the median was up 47.1% to A$25,000.
Three of the sale's highlight mares had come during the first broodmare session Monday, but Wednesday's trade saw two more mares, in addition to Comaneci, breach the half-million barrier.
Haiku (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) (lot 783), the dam of last year's G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Japonisme (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), drew interest from numerous parties, with Coolmore's Tom Magnier eventually succeeding at A$580,000 in partnership with China Horse Club. Haiku, who was bred by Coolmore, was sold for A$850,000 as a weanling at Inglis Easter. The half-sister to Singapore champion Tapildo (Aus) (Rhythm) failed to win in one start and was sold for A$50,000 at this sale in 2014. Heritage Bloodstock has to spend just A$27,500 to buy her from Newgate Farm at last year's Magic Millions National Sale, just five months before Japonisme's breakthrough victory. Haiku is currently in foal to Horse of the Year Dissident (Aus), and will be bred to Vancouver (Aus) this year.
“Vancouver has got awesome ability and we are obviously excited about the prospect of him running at Royal Ascot this year,” said Coolmore's Michael Kirwan. “This mare has bred a world-class sprinter in Japonisme already and I understand that he might be bound for Royal Ascot in 2017. She's a beautiful mare, by a fantastic broodmare sire and she will suit Vancouver perfectly.”
The China Horse Club on its own had earlier secured lot 678, the 4-year-old filly Calvados (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), for A$375,000, as well as lot 670, the British filly Brisk (GB) (Nayef), for A$350,000. Calvados, a winning half-sister to stakes winner Barbed (Aus) (Canny Lad {Aus}), was sold by Edinburgh Park carrying to the first crop of champion sprinter Brazen Beau (Aus). Brisk, a half-sister to dual Grade II winner and multiple Grade/Group 1-placed Costume (GB) (Danehill), was sold by Muskoka Farm carrying her first foal by Exceed and Excel (Aus).
B. Wayne Hughes's Spendthrift, now a regular spender at the Australian sales, made a splash here when securing Forever Discreet (Aus) (Bernardini) (lot 767) for A$520,000. The 5-year-old listed winner, a half-sister to stakes winners I'm Discreet (Aus) (Elusive Quality) and Very Discreet (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), produced her first foal, a colt by Fastnet Rock, last year, and is in foal to Deep Field (Aus).
Rothwell Park consigned both Haiku and Forever Discreet, and an overall three of the top five-priced lots of the day, and topped the sale by vendor average. Rothwell's Scott Irwin said, “Inglis has done a great job promoting the sale and the offerings. We knew our stock would get a great chance and we are very happy with our results.”
Inglis National Bloodstock Director Jonathan D'Arcy said, “Some exceptional results have been achieved at Newmarket this week, and we thank all vendors and buyers for their support. We are confident that vendors who took advantage of the sale's incentives have certainly been rewarded. The results reflect overwhelming confidence in the state of breeding in Australia, and it is especially pleasing to see international investors participating through their Australian-based businesses, with farms and breeders refreshing their bloodstock and investing in the future.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
