Written by Paul Vettise
Asian interests were active at the top end of the market during the inaugural Highway Session, which closed out the five-day 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale at Riversdale Stables, with a son of the late Unencumbered knocked down for Thursday’s top price of $85,000.
Inglis’ Highway Session ended with a clearance rate of 85 per cent, an average of $25,264 and gross of $3,638,000, taking the entire Classic Sale gross to $49,031,250.
Overall this week, 741 horses were sold at a clearance rate of 83 per cent, statistics that pleased Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
“An 83 per cent clearance figure is typical of a Select Yearling Sale and while we’re looking to better ourselves and achieve greater results for our clients, I am satisfied with that figure, especially given the bigger catalogue,’’ Webster said.
“The diversity of the buying bench was greater than ever before. We all appreciate everyone had to work hard at different points of the sale, but I feel overall it’s been a very successful week.’’
Twomey goes highest
The top price on Thursday was paid by Peter Twomey, of Wattle Bloodstock, for Lot 921 on behalf of Thomas Loke’s Tivic Stable in Singapore. The Unencumbered colt is a half-brother to the juvenile winner Kent (Domesday) with their dam the Commands mare Malbun.
“The stable has had a lot of luck with Inglis horses in the past,” Twomey said. “Thomas loves his racing and after being broken in, if forward enough, the colt will head to Singapore around this time next year to aim toward the AusHorse Golden Horseshoe Series.’’
The third generation of this colt’s family includes the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Guineas (Rory’s Jester) and the G3 Lee S. winner The Bowler (Testa Rossa). Furtrher back in the pedigree is the G1 Queensland Classic winner and successful sire Mossman (Success Express {USA}).
“The stable has had a lot of luck with Inglis horses in the past.” - Peter Twomey
The youngster was offered by Murrulla Stud, who completed a grand sale after topping Book 1 with their $550,000 Brazen Beau colt.
The second top-priced lot was $75,000 paid by Blueblood Bloodstock for Lot 970, a Dundeel filly presented by Evergreen Lodge Stud Farm.
She is out of the unraced Replacement Miss (Stryker), a haf-sister to the Group placegetter High Mist (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Lot 970 Dundeel (NZ) x Replacement Miss
Tartan strikes
Hong Kong buyers were also active on Thursday with Paul Chow, acting under his Tartan Meadow Bloodstock banner, going to $70,000 for Lot 867, a son of Duporth from the draft of Scone consigner Toolooganvale Farm.
The colt is a son of Elysian Dancer (Authorized {Ire}), who is a half-sister to the G3 Turffontein Three Troikas S. winner Sensible Lover (Good Journey {USA}). She also finished second in the G1 Turrfontein Empress Club S.
They are daughters of the G2 Kenilworth Reserve Stayers H. winner Almah (SA) (Al Mufti {USA}).
Lot 867 Duport x Elysian Dancer
Golden purchase
Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman went to the sale with a $50,000 credit, earned after he produced Safe Landing (Magic Albert), a $130,000 purchase for him in 2016, to win Wednesday's Country Highway at Warwick Farm.
The golden ticket was cashed when he bought Lot 987, a colt by Press Statement, for $70,000.
Offered by Kitchwin Hills, the youngster is a son of Sin Sin Sin (Fantastic Light {USA}), a half-sister to the stakes winner Hot As Hell (County) and his brother Flaming Hot and Craig’s Dragon (Catbird).
The mare is also a half-sibling to the dam of the G1 Galaxyh H. and multiple top flight placegetter In Her Time (Time Thief).
Upper hand on colt
Hong Kong interests also claimed a son of Smart Missile, Lot 834, for $65,000 put forward by Gooree Stud.
Upper Bloodstock purchased the colt out of Breezing Home (War Pass {USA}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Sky High S. winner and G1 Sydney Cup runner-up Older Than Time (NZ) (Don Eduardo {NZ}).
Further back in the family is the multiple Group 1 winner and champion sire Royal Academy (USA).
That price was matched by Evergreen Stud Farm’s Lot 982, a chestnut daughter of Deep Field who was bought by Kendrick Racing and Clarke Bloodstock, of Queensland.
The filly is a grand-daughter of the G3 Thoroughbred Club S. winner Crown Princess (Beautiful Crown {USA}), who produced the multiple winner and Group 3 performer Sebrina (Sebring).
Lot 982 Deep Field x Shebrings Class
