Darley based Epaulette, a dual Group I winning son of Commands and a three-quarter brother to Helmet, was the leading first season sire by average with three or more weanlings sold with five of his youngsters averaging $56,800.
His top seller at $140,000 was a colt from Loading Zone that was sold by Two Bays Farm to renowned bloodstock agent Paul Willetts.
Epaulette has had a fee reduction this year dropping to $22,000 from his first two seasons at $27,500 in which he covered 170 and then 134 mares.
Providing the single best result of any first season sire at the sale was Suns Stud's charismatic Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente (IRE).
The handsome son of Monsun was only a whisker behind Epaulette in terms of average, his six youngsters averaging $53,000 and his top seller was a colt from Fiammarosa that made $160,000 for Stonehouse Thoroughbreds when bought by Prima Park/ Waterford Bloodstock.
Fiorente remains at his initial fee of $17,600 for 2016 and has covered books of 186 and 123 mares in his first two seasons.
If Fiorente offers breeders classic stamina, weight-for-age class and a mix of the best European bloodlines, then Three Bridges Thoroughbreds based Unencumbered appeals to the opposite end of the spectrum focused on brilliant Australian speed and precocity.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner of 2014, Unencumbered had eight yearlings average $41,938, a more than pleasing result from a service fee of $13,200.
Top seller for Unencumbered was a colt from Vintage Quality that made $87,500 for Two Bays Farm when knocked down to Wattle Grove Thoroughbreds.
Unencumbered remains at the same fee in 2016 and has covered books of 119 and then 125 mares in his first two seasons.
The diverse nature of the Victorian breeding industry is highlighted by the warm response to both Fiorente and Unencumbered, whose offspring will no doubt be a feature of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale next year.
