Cover image courtesy of Inglis
At A Glance
>> The durable nature of the market was highlighted by an increase in median to $20,000 from $18,000, 12 months ago
>> The average fell slightly to $34,155 from $36,088, but with a much higher volume of horses
>> With an additional 43 horses sold, the overall aggregate exceeded $7.5 million, up from $6.4 million in 2019
>> Clearance lifted throughout the sale to finish at a respectable 76 per cent, down from 85 per cent in 2019
>> Victorian bloodstock agent Suman Hedge secured the top lot of the sale, despite being prevented from attending by COVID-19 protocols, combining with Grant Bloodstock to pay $280,000 for a Not A Single Doubt filly
>> The top lot was sold by Victorian-based Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, which endured a turbulent build-up to the Sale
>> A three-quarter brother to Group 1 winner Music Magnate by Written Tycoon was the top colt of Day 2 at $185,000
>> Inglis praised vendors and buyers for a 'quite remarkable' sale
Never a doubt for absent Hedge
In unusual times, bloodstock agent Suman Hedge enlisted some novel methods to get a read on the sale catalogue and ended up securing the top lot of the Sale for $280,000, in conjunction with Grant Bloodstock, without having seen the filly.
The filly, Lot 343, was a daughter of now retired Arrowfield stallion Not A Single Doubt, out of the eight-time winner Rhodamine (Success Express {USA}), making her a sister to Group 3 placegetter Legend Of Condor.
The extended family features the likes of Group 1 winner Atlante, Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed sprinter Little Giant (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and his Listed winning brother Top Prospect (NZ).
Watch: Lot 343 parade
Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm bred and offered the filly, having purchased Rhodamine for $140,000 as a yearling back in 2007 and raced her. She has proven an excellent commercial mare, with her previous three yearlings through the sales drawing a combined $725,000.
Hedge, who is based in Victoria, wasn't able to attend the Sale under Racing NSW's protocols and is instead serving out his 14-day quarantine in Coogee. But it didn’t stop him getting his head together with some old friends to secure the in-demand filly.
"Because I couldn't attend the Sale, we had to employ some different strategies. Rob Petith and Scott Holcombe, who are two very close mates and confidants, and we do business with both of their farms, they inspected everything and gave us a shortlist," he told TDN AusNZ.
A good luck kiss from Lot 343's leader | Image courtesy of Inglis
"This filly was right at the top of the list. She was just a filly who we felt that physically she was elite. She was very athletic, a good mover and a great representation of her sire.
"This filly was right at the top of the list. She was just a filly who we felt that physically she was elite." - Suman Hedge
"We looked at the pedigree as well and she was out of a running mare who had produced a really talented full brother. There had been some really good sales coming out the family."
Hedge, who has enjoyed considerable success as a pinhooker, will look to offer the Not A Single Doubt filly through the 2021 yearling sales.
Lot 343 - Not A Single Doubt x Rhodamine (filly)
"She's probably not as speculative as some horses where you are hoping that they will improve and get stronger. She is quite a strong filly already. I think from that point of view, it’s about managing her to the sales. With Silverdale Farm, which is Steve Grant's farm, and Ron Petith in charge, we have every confidence," he said.
"We are really confident that if we have even luck with injuries and x-rays, you have to get there, but everything being even, I am confident of getting a good result with her."
Hedge and Grant Bloodstock also bought a Deep Field filly, Lot 238, for $100,000 on the first day of the Sale.
Lot 238 - Deep Field x Iceland Turf Belle (filly)
Rollercoaster Sale ends on a high for Lauriston
It was an emotional result for Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, which has had to change plans several times with its weanling draft, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Victoria.
Not only did Lauriston provide the sale-topper, it also ended as leading vendor by average (for three or more sold) at $69,900, selling all 10 lots offered.
“I’m ecstatic, over the moon, emotional, very proud of the achievements of today. What a day,’’ a relieved James O’Brien said.
“It’s been hugely stressful. We were jumping in a car Friday to sell up there in Sydney but we got blocked on Wednesday so everything changed." - James O'Brien
“It’s been hugely stressful. We were jumping in a car Friday to sell up there in Sydney but we got blocked on Wednesday so everything changed. We had to find staff, organise travel, accommodation, who could offload the horses once they got to Sydney, all the logistics while trying to let Victorians know they had one day basically to do on-farm inspections here in Victoria before the horses left and everything else.
“Karis Clarkson ran our team for us at Riverside and she did an outstanding job, as did all the staff, who had never seen these weanlings before until the weekend."
O'Brien said it is not an experience he'd readily go through again in a hurry.
“It really took my stress to a new level. The foals are born on your farm, you raise them, get them ready for auction and come to the grand final it’s like we’ve pulled a hamstring three days out and can’t play. It really was distressing," he said.
“But to come out the other side as leading vendor, all credit goes to my team here on the farm, they put a lot of effort in and the feedback I was getting daily from Karis and her crew at Riverside was exceptional, so thank you to everyone who helped us achieve these great results."
"All credit goes to my team here on the farm, they put a lot of effort in and the feedback I was getting daily from Karis and her crew at Riverside was exceptional, so thank you to everyone who helped us achieve these great results." - James O'Brien
That fact the Not A Single Doubt filly topped the Sale did not surprise O'Brien.
“She’s an outstanding type and was from the outset,’’ he said. “We’ve always felt she’d be popular come sale-time so all credit to Suman and Steve and the team, I’m confident they’ll get a great result if they on sell or keep her to race."
Music Magnate connection strikes a chord with Binalong
The top colt of the day was Lot 350, a colt by Written Tycoon offered by Woodside Park who is a three-quarter brother to G1 Doomben 10,000 winner Music Magnate (Written Tycoon).
Lot 350 - Written Tycoon x Taraji (colt)
He attracted a bid of $185,000 from Binalong Bloodstock, who ended the sale's biggest buyers, spending $450,000 across four different lots.
His dam Taraji (Bramshaw) was a $60,000 purchase for Woodside Park and Iskander Racing in 2018.
Young sire in demand
Newgate's first-season sire Russian Revolution made a splash on the sale's second day, with Laurel Oak Bloodstock paying $150,000 for a colt out of Novel Dancer (Written Tycoon) offered by Sledmere Stud.
Lot 322 is a half-brother to a horse that Laurel Oak has had Listed success with in Pancho (Dissident), who cost the same price as a weanling three years ago, before fetching $165,000 as a yearling at the Inglis Easter Sale.
Lot 322 - Russian Revolution x Novel Dancer (colt)
All in all, there were six of Russian Revolution's first crop sold at the Sale, for a sale leading aggregate of $450,000 and average of $75,000.
The top sire for the sale overall on aggregate was So You Think (NZ), while Written Tycoon ended as leading sire by average (for three or more sold), with his progeny averaging $100,000.
Fairhill ends as leading vendor
The leading vendor for the sale by aggregate was Fairhill Farm, clearing 23 weanlings for a total of $858,000, just ahead of Coolmore, whose 23 sold for $823,000.
“We can’t get away from the fact COVID is an issue we are all dealing with but the past 48 hours have been exceptional, considering the times we’re in, and the Inglis staff have been unbelievably good to make this happen," Fairhill’s Mike O’Donnell said.
“I had expectations that I didn’t want to think about so we’re very happy with how this has turned out for us.
“Everyone that could be here, was, and those that couldn’t, they were all represented, and as a vendor that’s all you can ask for.’’
Off a big pinhook result at the Inglis Scone Yearling Sale on Sunday, Jazcom Thoroughbreds was the leading buyer by lots purchased, taking 16 weanlings home.
“The horses are here for us to buy, there’s good quality in our market,’’ Jazcom’s Colin Branthwaite said.
“I like to cover a lot of angles and have a lot of chances and try to cash in on whatever one comes good, rather than put all my eggs in one basket.
“I could tell from doing the inspections there were a lot more nice horses here. The horses are here and I won’t buy them if I don’t like them but I liked a lot of horses here."
Remarkable Sale pleases Inglis
Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster praised a sale which defied any suggestions of market gloom to post an increase in median and gross on last year. The average was only slightly down, while a total of 16 horses sold for $100,000 or more, up from 14 last year.
“It’s been challenging for all of our clients these past few months so this was a good trading opportunity for them,’’ Webster said.
Mark Webster
“These were very good results under the circumstances, effectively on par or better than last year, which is quite remarkable considering.
“There was good competition on the better types especially, which is a strong indication the right people were here.
“Our vendors have all been very patient and I thank them for that but especially the Victorian vendors who took a leap of faith by joining the catalogue, and I’m so glad to see such great results for a number of them."
Top lots
| 343 | Not A Single Doubt | Rhodamine | Filly | Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Corinella, Vic | Suman Hedge Bloodstock / Grant Bloodstock NSW | $280,000 |
| 174 | Exceed And Excel | Count Your Money | Colt | Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | B MacKenzie NSW | $260,000 |
| 350 | Written Tycoon | Taraji | Colt | Woodside Park Stud, Tylden, Vic | Binalong Bloodstock NSW | $185,000 |
| 204 | So You Think (NZ) | Feirin | Colt | Twin Hills Stud, Cootamundra | D R Pinhook NSW | $150,000 |
| 322 | Russian Revolution | Novel Dancer | Colt | Sledmere Stud, Scone | Laurel Oak Bloodstock Pty Ltd NSW | $150,000 |
| 50 | Hellbent | Sister Madly | Colt | Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone | Spyglass NSW | $140,000 |
| 120 | So You Think (NZ) | Aquamosa (NZ) | Colt | Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | Gall Bloodstock Pty Ltd NSW | $130,000 |
| 205 | Capitalist | Finally | Colt | Noogee Park, Scone | Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) NSW | $110,000 |
| 81 | Deep Field | Touch of Greatness | Colt | Fairhill Farm, Mulbring | Binalong Bloodstock NSW | $105,000 |
| 123 | Pariah | Astrophysical Jet (GB) | Colt | Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen | Spyglass NZ | $105,000 |
Top buyers
| Binalong Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | $450,000 | $112,500 | $185,000 | $102,500 |
| B MacKenzie | NSW | 2 | $335,000 | $167,500 | $260,000 | $167,500 |
| James Bester Bloodstock | NSW | 4 | $282,000 | $70,500 | $100,000 | $70,000 |
| Suman Hedge Bloodstock / Grant Bloodstock | NSW | 1 | $280,000 | $280,000 | $280,000 | $280,000 |
| Jazcom Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd | NSW | 16 | $274,000 | $17,125 | $40,000 | $14,000 |
| BBT Breeding and Racing Pty Ltd | NSW | 6 | $210,000 | $35,000 | $60,000 | $31,500 |
| D R Pinhook | NSW | 2 | $176,000 | $88,000 | $150,000 | $88,000 |
| BRT Bloodstock | QLD | 2 | $170,000 | $85,000 | $90,000 | $85,000 |
| Stonehouse Thoroughbreds | VIC | 4 | $160,000 | $40,000 | $65,000 | $40,000 |
| Paul Willetts Bloodstock | VIC | 4 | $158,000 | $39,500 | $70,000 | $42,500 |
Top vendors by aggregate
| Fairhill Farm, Mulbring | 23 | $858,000 | $37,304 | $105,000 | $35,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | 23 | $823,000 | $35,783 | $100,000 | $30,000 |
| Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | 12 | $731,500 | $60,958 | $260,000 | $30,750 |
| Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Corinella, Vic | 10 | $699,000 | $69,900 | $280,000 | $60,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone | 15 | $581,000 | $38,733 | $140,000 | $25,000 |
| Sledmere Stud, Scone | 8 | $386,000 | $48,250 | $150,000 | $18,000 |
| Newgate Consignment, Aberdeen | 13 | $364,000 | $28,000 | $105,000 | $16,000 |
| Kingstar Farm, Denman | 11 | $245,500 | $22,318 | $65,000 | $16,000 |
| Aquis Farm Operations, Murrurundi | 8 | $227,000 | $28,375 | $90,000 | $23,500 |
| Woodside Park Stud, Tylden, Vic | 2 | $210,000 | $105,000 | $185,000 | $105,000 |
Top vendors by average (3 or more sold)
| Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Corinella, Vic | 10 | $69,900 | $699,000 | $280,000 | $60,000 |
| Middlebrook Valley Lodge, Scone | 12 | $60,958 | $731,500 | $260,000 | $30,750 |
| Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Buckley, Vic | 3 | $48,333 | $145,000 | $100,000 | $30,000 |
| Sledmere Stud, Scone | 8 | $48,250 | $386,000 | $150,000 | $18,000 |
| Edinburgh Park Stud, Wingham | 3 | $45,000 | $135,000 | $100,000 | $20,000 |
| Noogee Park, Scone | 3 | $41,667 | $125,000 | $110,000 | $8,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud Australia Pty Ltd, Scone | 15 | $38,733 | $581,000 | $140,000 | $25,000 |
| Luskin Park Stud, Luskintyre (Unreserved Dispersal) | 4 | $38,625 | $154,500 | $80,000 | $33,250 |
| Fairhill Farm, Mulbring | 23 | $37,304 | $858,000 | $105,000 | $35,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains | 23 | $35,783 | $823,000 | $100,000 | $30,000 |
Top sires by aggregate
| So You Think (NZ) | 8 | $564,000 | $70,500 | $150,000 | $65,000 |
| Deep Field | 11 | $520,000 | $47,273 | $105,000 | $40,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 6 | $450,000 | $75,000 | $150,000 | $80,000 |
| Capitalist | 10 | $366,000 | $36,600 | $110,000 | $30,500 |
| Exceed And Excel | 2 | $360,000 | $180,000 | $260,000 | $180,000 |
| Pierro | 4 | $306,000 | $76,500 | $100,000 | $80,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 3 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $185,000 | $90,000 |
| Not A Single Doubt | 1 | $280,000 | $280,000 | $280,000 | $280,000 |
| Merchant Navy | 6 | $271,000 | $45,167 | $100,000 | $34,500 |
| Vancouver | 5 | $222,000 | $44,400 | $60,000 | $40,000 |
Top sires by average (3 or more sold)
| Written Tycoon | 3 | $100,000 | $300,000 | $185,000 | $90,000 |
| Pierro | 4 | $76,500 | $306,000 | $100,000 | $80,000 |
| Russian Revolution | 6 | $75,000 | $450,000 | $150,000 | $80,000 |
| Hellbent | 3 | $71,000 | $213,000 | $140,000 | $43,000 |
| So You Think (NZ) | 8 | $70,500 | $564,000 | $150,000 | $65,000 |
| Caravaggio (USA) | 4 | $50,250 | $201,000 | $100,000 | $35,500 |
| Deep Field | 11 | $47,273 | $520,000 | $105,000 | $40,000 |
| Merchant Navy | 6 | $45,167 | $271,000 | $100,000 | $34,500 |
| Vancouver | 5 | $44,400 | $222,000 | $60,000 | $40,000 |
| Impending | 4 | $41,500 | $166,000 | $60,000 | $45,000 |
