The William Inglis & Son Easter broodmare sale enjoyed increases of 59.6% in gross revenue, 17.9% in average price, and 19% in median price during the four-day select portion of the auction that ended April 16 in Australia.
Sun Classique was the highest-priced horse sold, bringing Aust$2 million ($1,866,770 in U.S. funds). Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm purchased her privately from Widden Stud after she had passed through the sale ring on the third day and had been bought back for Aust$1,950,000 ($1,820,000).
Cataloged as being in foal to Oasis Dream, Sun Classique (Fuji Kiseki – Elfenjer, by Last Tycoon) captured the Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas (SAF-I) in 2006 and the Woolavington 2200 (SAF-I) and Fancourt Majorca Stakes (SAF-I) in 2007, when she was a champion. The 7-year-old chestnut mare also scored in the 2008 Dubai Sheema Classic Sponsored by Nakheel (UAE-I) and was a champion that year in the United Arab Emirates.
“It was an honor to sell Sun Classique for very loyal clients of the farm,” Widden’s Antony Thompson said. “It was also a particularly satisfying sale for Widden Stud, with three of the top four priced mares (Sun Classique, Absolut Glam, and Serious Speed) having been born on the farm.”
Patinack was the auction’s biggest spender, paying Aust$7,267,000 ($7,118,930) for 23 horses.
“It has been a pleasing sale, once again underpinned by some good drafts of dispersals and reductions as well as high class fillies and mares off the track,” said Inglis managing director Mark Webster. “The announcement of the Toorak Stud dispersal was a great boost for the sale and I’d like to thank them and make special mention to Adrian Hancock for his involvement and wish him well.
“The buying bench was outstanding, with Western Australia and New Zealand regions particularly strong. This is the sale where you can offer premium mares with full confidence that the buyers will be here to compete.