A foal next to a brilliant but less fertile stallion Extreme choice set a new record for the Yearling Sale at the Inglis Classic on February 6, selling for AU$775,000 ($548,127) in a stunning opening day, during which buyers spent over 26 million Australian dollars in search of their next race star.
Top Dealer James Harron was a key player in driving the session’s unprecedented pace of Classic spending, joining the prestigious Bell River Thoroughbreds long-timed certified leopard Extreme Choice colt ( Lot 100), one of 35 lots earning AU$200,000 or more.
The new benchmark for the Classic sale, which surpasses the previous high of AU$625,000, achieved in part by overwhelming demand and limited supply by the descendants of Newgate Extreme Choice but by no means sales. outperformed at Riverside Stables.
The fundamental strength of the Australian plasma market, which also reached new heights during last month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale, has shifted to the Classic sale, where 207 horses traded at an average price. average is AU$127,271 (US$90,013).
The 20% average annual increase coincides with an average increase of AU$110,000 ($77,798), an increase of $20,000 on the same day last year, and $30,000 on overall 2021 Classic sales. The sum closed at AU$26,345,000 (US$18,632,800), up above the AU$21,418,000 which changed hands on the first day of last year, which is a record then.
By comparison, and as an indication of continued demand for blood vessels, the 2022 edition of Gold Coast Book 1’s annual sale in 2022 saw its average annual increase of 16 % and the average is 28%.
The allure of the highest priced lot was obvious to many, by the same breed as the winner of the Longines Golden Slipper (G1) Stay insidegroup of 2 winners Malayan Tigerpremium sprint colt Extreme warriorsand 3 years old Spyhas been anointed by many experts as the star of her generation, out of six winners his stake is from just 33 runners.
At least three parties have played the game for the impressive pony for more than the previous Inglis Classic record price, set last year, and perhaps not out of hand, that of Harron, bid over the phone. phoned Inglis’ James Price while sitting in a Riverside Stables Corporate Suite, who was able to deliver a knock-out blow to Henry Field of Newgate Farm, the lower bidder, and the ranch manager who stood up for Extreme Choice .
Harron considers the purchase of a foal an important addition to his client’s pony portfolio.
Harron told ANZ Bloodstock News: “You start learning about certain breeds and I think he’s very typical of what we’ve seen about Extreme Choices.
“He’s got a really manly head, great depth of girth, he’s medium-sized, but he’s a very good runner.
“He’s got a great attitude and that’s all you keep hearing from people about good Extreme Choices, showing how great their attitude is.
“He ticked all of those boxes, so to speak, and let’s hope he’s fast.”
Purchased for AU$220,000 (US$169,978) at weaning from the Magic Millions National Sale by Bell River Thoroughbreds agents Bevan Smith and James Ferguson from a Kenmore Lodge draft, the record-breaking pony is the fifth pony of the fifth pony in the group of 3 juveniles Turtle Murtleby Murtajill.
She has been the dam of three winners, two of whom won as children: Hurtle and California Deeply, who won at Warwick ranch in December.
Jock Ferguson reveals the horse — one of only three ponies from Newgate Farm champs to the first season of the vintage sale and 14 from the third season of Extreme Choice — will head towards the Annual Sale Last Magic Millions Gold Coast if it weren’t for some persuasion from Inglis Bloodstock chief executive, Sebastian Hutch.
Ferguson, who runs Bell River Thoroughbreds with his father Andrew and brother James, said: “Obviously we’re thrilled to get into the ring. We can’t wait to see what he’s going to do and we are. just wanted to get him there safely.”
“Inglis did an excellent job and special mention to Sebastian Hutch, he convinced us to bring the pony to this sale and he didn’t let us down.
“All the team at Inglis work really hard to attract people here and they’ve made a great sale here.”
The respect that top buyers have for Bell River Thoroughbreds’ ability to house a high-yielding horse at their Dungog ranch during the critical growth period, from weaning to longing, was an important aspect of yesterday’s result for Ferguson.
“James Harron is a great judge, he’s bought some very good ponies in the past, and there are a lot of low bidders who are good judges,” he said.
“When you have judges on horseback, you know they’re going to a good home and you know you’ve got a quality horse under your belt.”
Capitalism’s pony in consignment is Lot 122 at the Inglis . Classic Yearling Sales
Harron, who bought seven goji berries from last year’s vintage sale, also bought a pony with Capitalist (Lot 122) from Newgate Farm draft for AU$375,000 (US$265,223) and a son consigned by Redbank North and Huntworth (Plot 211) of Pariahone of his partnership horses raced until retirement with the Arrowfield Stud, for AU$210,000 (US$148,525).
“You’re seeing some people really backing it (Classic) about the vendors making it their number one bestseller. For example, that (Extreme Choice) horse could have been sold in the UK. any store in Australia and it works great,” said Harron.
“The fact that they brought him here, I guess it’s almost a full circle for them, having bred, offered and sold Extreme Choice here (at the Classic), so I’m sure that it’s part of their plan to get back here, where they’ve had that success.”
Another Extreme Choice pony (Lot 86) sold for AU$150,000 (US$106,089) to Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli while the last Extreme Choice foal at the Classic sale will be offered for sale by breeder Mane Lodge as Lot 313 on 7 February.
Happy Hutch with record miner
Inglis Bloodstock’s Hutch is pleased that the work the company has undertaken throughout the spring compiling the Classic catalog has found buyers’ favorites on Sunday and he expects the market sentiment to be sustained over the next two weeks. next day.
“Today had some really important horses on sale, obviously a new record price for the sale and that was a specific target for the sale, we felt like we could break the record. ,” said Hutch.
“You’re basically just happy to see the sales advocates hit some great results and likewise, almost without exception, all the biggest names in the Australian race. participate in the purchase.
“Whether they get it or get it underpriced, it’s gratifying. You’re marrying each other and delivering results that people are very pleased with.”
The second day begins at 10 a.m. Monday, local time.
