With a record-breaking Classic Yearling Sale behind us, attention now switches to Melbourne for the four-day Premier Yearling Sale, which begins in 12 days' time.
A total of 771 horses have been catalogued for Premier, among them 103 relations to Stakes winner and 104 progeny of Stakes-winning mares.
Highlighting the diversity of the catalogue, there are 109 individual stallions represented – including 19 First Season Sires – headed by Written Tycoon (30), Fiorente and Pierro (29), Shamus Award and Helmet (23), Reward For Effort (22), High Chaparral (21) and Sebring and I Am Invincible (20).
The opening day (Sunday February 26) will again feature the popular Blue Riband session, where yearlings considered to have the pedigree and conformation to excel in their Classic Year and beyond have been specifically selected.
Inglis' Victorian bloodstock team has for almost a fortnight been doing on-farm inspections around Victoria of the yearlings entered for the sale, and will continue to do so until this Friday.
On-site inspections at Oaklands begin on Wednesday, February 22.
Inglis' Victorian Bloodstock Manager Simon Vivian believes the success of the Classic Sale in Sydney last weekend bodes well for a big Premier Sale.
"The strength of the yearling market allows us to go into Premier with plenty of confidence,'' Vivian said.
"The broad appeal for Premier is attributable to well-conformed yearlings by a great variety of stallions, which has been proven year after year.
"Graduates of the Melbourne Premier Sale continue to perform well on national and international racetracks and this provides buyers with great confidence in the product on offer.
"Our vendors can be complimented on their drafts and I'm sure they will be justifiably rewarded.''
The leading vendor for Premier is Supreme Thoroughbreds, with a draft of 40.
Supreme has been a long-time supporter of the sale and their 2017 draft is "easily our biggest and best ever'' for Premier, according to Supreme's Sue Shaw.
"With 16 fillies and 24 colts, we are presenting a diverse group of yearlings by most of the leading stallions out of first-rate mares that are all well-bred with strong pedigrees,'' Shaw said.
"This group of yearlings are all exceptional types and each one is striking in their own way.
"We are pumped and ready to parade out at Oaklands and hope that the quality on offer is well received by the local and international buying bench.''
Buyers who are yet to confirm their arrangements for the sale can email travel@inglis.com.au
The Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale runs for the four days of February 26, 27, 28 and March 1.
To view the catalogue,CLICK HERE.
