(Edited William Inglis & Son press release)
The William Inglis & Son Sydney Classic yearling sale began on a buoyant note Jan. 23 in Australia, with the first session average price up by more than 5% on figures from a year ago.
The gross was more than Aust$3.6million ($3,560,540 in U.S. funds) for the 104 yearlings that were sold, with a trio of colts sharing top price honors for the session.
The session’s average was Aust$34,692 ($34,312) and the median was $30,000 ($29,671), with the clearance rate going beyond 78%.
“The sale figures are slightly ahead of last year’s sale at the same stage which is a positive sign,” Inglis bloodstock director Jonathan D’Arcy said. “The strong median and clearance rate means vendors are meeting the market and are being rewarded for well-presented yearlings.”
Early in the session, the Golden Slipper (Aust-I) winning combination of Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra went to Aust$95,000 ($93,959) to secure a colt from the Cinque Cavalli consignment. The colt is by Stratum, who delivered the training partnership last year’s Slipper with Crystal Lily, and out of the Mossman mare Jargon.
Soon after, Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds paid the same amount for Riverslea Farm’s Snitzel colt out of the Woodman mare Keela.
An Encosta De Lago colt from the consignment of Lomar Park Stud then joined the top sellers later in the day when secured by Tom Magnier. The colt is the first foal from the listed winning Arena mare My Lady’s Chamber, a half sister to group I Coolmore Classic winner Regal Cheer.