First Ever Two-Year-Old Sale Held in Australia

By Ric Chapman

For the first time in Australian selling history, Inglis Sales Co. joined with the Moonee Valley Racing Club and staged a Ready-to-Run Sale in the Australian spring.

Many of the 2-year-olds, however, breezed down the stretch better than their owners expected and were retained. A catalogue of 93 was printed and 55 sold Oct. 31. But those that did sell sold very well for a first time sale.

The big crowd that witnessed the 2-year-olds charging down the straight, accelerating over the final 200 meters in the morning of Sunday's sale, followed the auction with great interest later that afternoon.

The 55 that sold generated gross receipts of A$2,383,000 (U.S.$1,780,000) with an average price of A$43,327 (U.S.$32,400). Top price was for a son of Danehill who fetched a very handy A$300,000 (U.S.$225,000).

As expected, the Danehill colt from impeccably bred Torrential Storm (Sir Tristram--November Rain) proved the star of the show for one of Australia's leading prep farms, Shipton Lodge as agent. He was purchased by Worldwide Bloodstock Services on behalf of Hong Kong based owner Leung Kai Fai. The dam has had nine to race, all have won and three have been solid black type earners.

Leung has enjoyed considerable success with the progeny of Danehill, particularly with champion miler and Hong Kong Derby hero Lucky Owners, a winner of A$4.3 million (U.S.$3,211,000) before retiring this year to start his stallion career at Widden Stud.

"It was a most encouraging result for a sale of this type and we anticipate that it will be bigger and better next year as interest grows," said managing director Reg Inglis.

"Many horses exceeded their reserve price and there is now a good foundation from which to establish this sale as a permanent fixture during the spring carnival."

Champion sire Zabeel chimed in with the second highest priced offering, an athletic bay colt from stakes-placed producer Futile (by Alzao) who sold for A$235,000.

A surprise packet was the flashy chestnut colt by High Yield from the U.S.-born and raced stakes winner Star City Light (by Risen Star) who went to Shane Keating for A$80,000 (U.S.$62,000). High Yield's first runner in Australasia was a winner last week.

The top priced filly was by Encosta de Lago from the U.S.-bred mare Mo Mon Tai (by Fappiano). She has had five to race in Australia and all have won. She hasn't had one on the ground by Encosta de Lago before, however. She went for A$90,000 to the bid of Shane Richards.