Median price reached record heights by the end of the three-day first session of the Inglis Melbourne premier yearling sale March 4.
Fillies by Commands and Magnus brought the top two prices on the final day, selling for $275,000 ($245,764 in United States funds) and $240,000 ($214,485), respectively.
The session concluded with the overall median standing at a record $70,000 ($62,557), marking a 16.7% gain from last year's first session. The overall average price of $84,115 ($75,171), was up 10.2%.
Overall, 441 horses sold for overall total receipts of $37,112,181 ($33,166,684), a 15.7% rise from last year, boosted by an international buying bench. Australians have had plenty of competition from active international buyers representing South Africa, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Korea, China, Hong Kong, and Japan.
"The last time this sale averaged in the $80,000s was (in 2008) when Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner, and Reward For Effort went through the ring," Inglis Melbourne bloodstock director Peter Heagney said." 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."
The highest-price horse on day three was Eliza Park International's Commands filly out of stakes winner Pantenny, by Canny Lad. The bay filly sold to Salanitri Racing. Eliza Park was the leading consignor, with 32 yearlings sold for $2,887,500 ($2,580,363)
The Magnus filly, offered by Yallambee Stud, sold to overall leading buyer Dean Hawthorne. She is out of stakes-placed Siverbeat, a half sister to group III winner Any Rhythm who was group I-placed.
Northern Meteor was the session's leading sire with five of his yearlings selling at an average of $198,000 ($176,939).
Other leading sires by average were Fastnet Rock, seven at $185,000 ($165,293); Magnus, three at $176,667 ($157,957); Exceed And Excel, seven $172,143 ($153,806); and Lonhro, nine at $138,889 ($124,097).
Equiano led the first-season sires, with 15 of his yearlings selling at an average of $105,200 ($94,010).
The Inglis Melbourne premier yearling sale continues March 5 with a one-day second session.