A little spice was added to the opening day of the Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney with the inclusion of a 57-strong Gold Riband session, which was met with widespread approval judging by the results of this inaugural showcase. The 50 sold from that section brought turnover of $6,510,000, with an encouraging average of $130,200 and median of $90,000.
“We were hoping to work up to an average of $100,000 for the Gold Riband in the first two years. To get an average of $130,000 in the first year is beyond our wildest expectations,'' said Managing Director Mark Webster, enjoying a positive set of results from the first day's trade in Inglis's 150th anniversary year.
“It was a new idea, we were trying something fresh and those things don't always work, but thanks to the support of our vendors and a strong buying bench here tonight, we're delighted with the results all round.”
He added, “I must give a special mention to Linda Monds at Tyreel. To get the two highest prices of the night is a fantastic achievement and I'd like to congratulate her and her husband Lawrence and thank them for their confidence in their support of the Gold Riband concept.''
Monds's sale-topping Not A Single Doubt (Aus) colt (lot 73) was the selection of Carmel Size, who bought the well-bred individual on behalf of Bon Ho for $400,000. He is the second foal of Pinnochio (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}), a winning sister to the outstanding five-time Group 1 winner Racing To Win (Aus), and is to be trained by Les Bridge.
Size commented, “He's a really athletic colt, very neat, I liked the way he got around, he's a really great mover. He's still got a lot of improvement in him physically so he won't be rushed.”
The agent later signed for lot 90, Yarraman Park Stud's colt by boom sire I Am Invincible (Aus) out of G2 Silver Slipper S. runner-up Ambers Waltz (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) at $240,000, making her the leading buyer of the sale so far, while Yarraman Park hold leading vendor honours.
Also hailing from the Tyreel Stud draft was the day's most expensive filly, a daughter of I Am Invincible and the young Group 3-placed mare Family Crest (NZ) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Buying in partnership, Boomer Bloodstock and Murray Thoroughbreds went to $360,000 to secure the filly (lot 106).
“I Am Invincible, I'll be honest, he's a sire I want to get my hands on as many of his progeny as I can. He's flying,'' offered Craig Rounsefell of Boomer Bloodstock. “I rated this filly the filly of the sale and on par with any filly I've seen this year.''
With 28 yearlings catalogued across the three-day sale, I Am Invincible is one of the best-represented sires in the book, and he ended the session with eight sold at an average of $205,000.
The 88% clearance rate for the Gold Riband session was almost matched by the rest of the day's trade. All told, 119 horses sold at a rate of 84%, with a much-improved average of $90,845 and median of $65,000. The first-day aggregate was $10,810,500.
The Inglis Classic Sale continues today from 9am local time.
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