In what appears to be a bellwether for the major Thoroughbred events in Australia's fall next year, Inglis & Son Sales company has been the first to react to the equine influenza crisis.
The auction house will move the dates of all its yearling sales next year. And rival Magic Millions Sales company will likely follow suit
Meanwhile, the major New South Wales race clubs are expected to announce soon they will both be changing their race dates, too.
Said Inglis managing director Mark Webster: "It is important that the racing industry is given time to recover from the EI outbreak prior to holding major yearling sales in 2008. It is also very important that young sires are given the opportunity to prove themselves on the track to maximize returns for breeders.
“We feel that holding our two Sydney yearling sales after the Melbourne carnival and alongside the rescheduled major Sydney Autumn feature races will benefit all industry participants. Feedback from local and international yearling buyers suggests the Classic Yearling Sale should also benefit by immediately following the Easter Yearling Sale. This is good news for breeders."
The revised schedule for major Inglis sales in 2008 is:
• March 2-4: Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (Oaklands Melbourne; unchanged)
• April 14-16: Australian Easter Yearling Sale (Newmarket Sydney)
• April 20-22: Classic Yearling Sale (Newmarket Sydney)
• April 27-30: Easter Broodmare Sale (Newmarket Sydney)
The Autumn Yearling Sale conducted at Oaklands will be rescheduled to May. Further announcements regarding all other sales will be made as soon as possible.
Inspections are currently under way, but finalization of yearling inspections is still a month off. Vendors should contact Inglis Bloodstock at Newmarket or Oaklands to discuss the sale of their yearlings in 2008.
